Gov. Jay Nixon today announced that Jasper County has been designated as the nation’s first Certified Work Ready Community by American College Testing (ACT).
ACT is the nonprofit organization responsible for the college admissions test taken by more than 1.6 million high school graduates every year. The designation by ACT helps Jasper County attract new businesses and new jobs. The Governor made the announcement at the Franklin Technology Center Office in Joplin, where he was joined by local business and community leaders.
“Strengthening Missouri’s workforce has been a top priority of my administration from Day One, so we are extremely proud to be among the first states participating in this initiative,” Gov. Nixon said. “For Jasper County, home to the Joplin metro area, to become the very first ACT Certified Work Ready Community in the nation is another testament to this community’s resilience and its commitment to rebuilding its economy stronger, and smarter, than ever before.”