Northwest Georgia employers are among 29 who have been chosen to receive a total of $1.4 million in federal stimulus funds to become Certified Work Ready facilities.

The manufacturers include Brugg Wire Rope and Sara Lee Corp. in Floyd County; EVCO Plastics in Gordon County; HON Company in Polk County; and Nissin Brake-Georgia in Walker County.

These Certified Work Ready facilities-in-progress are using both Work Ready job profiles and Work Ready assessments in their hiring and employee training practices.

Funding for the project is provided by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will be used to reimburse costs associated with implementing the Georgia Work Ready training plan, as well customized, job-specific training.

The joint project between the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development and the Georgia Department of Economic Development is designed to help companies in Georgia improve their productivity and strengthen the state’s workforce through customized training.

“In challenging economic times, it is important to focus on building the long-term sustainability of Georgia’s workforce,” said Gov. Sonny Perdue. “By implementing Work Ready and making an investment in their employees, these companies are gaining a competitive advantage today and in the years to come.”