The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Systems at Marshall University (Huntington, West Virginia) is part of a nationwide network of teaching factories where manufacturers can learn new, more competitive production technologies. The institute has helped several local manufacturing companies develop computer programs to…

Describes Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC), a nonprofit community development organization that creates jobs and helps small manufacturing businesses succeed in nine "perpetually poor" rural Kentucky counties. Outlines KHIC services: loans for both expansion and working capital; equity and real estate investments;…

The Dalton (Georgia) High School Apprenticeship Program, a joint effort of local carpet companies and the school, provides high school students with the necessary skills for high-tech jobs in the carpeting industry. The program seeks to reduce the dropout rate while addressing the local shortage of skilled workers. (LP)

Describes the Fund for Appalachian Industrial Retraining (FAIR) program, which has trained over 14,000 multiskilled workers in Appalachian manufacturing in the last four years. FAIR works with firms in 18 Appalachian Ohio counties, arranging onsite and offsite programs and providing matching funds for customized training. (SAS)

The Ceramics Corridor has created new jobs in New York's Appalachian region by fostering ceramics research and product development by small private companies. Corridor business incubators offer tenants low overhead costs, fiber-optic connections to Alfred University's mainframe computer, rental of lab space, and use of equipment small companies…

With support from federal grants and area industry, the Alfred State College of Technology in New York's Southern Tier is training future workers for high-skill manufacturing jobs. The college offers certification and associate's degree programs in welding and machine-tool technology and is developing a training program in computer technology.…