St. Clair County Commissioners believe that one of biggest challenges facing our area is a lack of jobs. One factor that has prevented businesses from relocating to our county has been the lack of skilled workers. In an effort to bring graduates back who have left the area commissioners recently approved an agreement with the Community Foundation which intends to increase the number of qualified workers in our county, as well as increase employment. It's called a reverse scholarship. Where traditional scholarships pay for school before hand, reverse scholarships pay off a student's debt after they have graduated. Preference will be given to those that have connections to St. Clair County and have earned degrees in Science, Mathematics, and skilled trades in the past seven years, plus are living or plan on living within the area. Each scholarship will provide up to $10,000 in the first year. Commissioner Karl Tomion noted that applicants who are selected to receive the scholarship would have up to 120 days to demonstrate a written job commitment from an employer. To find out more about the reverse scholarship program you can go online to: stclairfoundation.org
