Cox College is receiving a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Cox College funding

Due to the shortage of nurses in the area, money will be allocated for facility updates and accommodating growth. Cox College can train about 465 new nurses in nine years with this grant.

“The collaborative efforts of local leaders will allow for new healthcare opportunities throughout southwest Missouri,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The expanded Cox College nursing school will help local workers gain the skills health care providers look for in a modern workforce.”

This grant was made possible thanks to a year-long planning process by the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG).

“The funding for Cox College would not be possible had we not updated SMCOG’s comprehensive economic development strategy in 2016,” said Jason Ray, executive director of SMCOG. “Having the regional strategy in place gives local entities access to federal economic development funding.”

About SMCOG

SMCOG operates under the Center for Resource Planning and Management (CRPM). CRPM is an applied research and academic support unit under geology, geography and planning at Missouri State University.

Working together, they impact a ten-county service area.  It is the only planning commission in Missouri that operates under a university.

Discover more about SMCOG and MSU’s partnership and how it impacts the community.

Learn more about regional planning, SMCOG projects and homeland security.