Governor Steve Bullock today issued the following statement over the announcement that Anaconda Job Corps will remain open.

“I’m pleased that the right decision was made to keep Anaconda Job Corps open, maintaining jobs for over 60 people and ensuring workforce training for hundreds of at-risk students each year. I have no doubt it was the voices of the Anaconda community, folks from all over the state, and the workers and students who protected this critical rural training center. This is one of the top Job Corps centers in the nation and I’m glad our nation’s leaders finally recognized that.

I hope they’ll also recognize the Anaconda and Trapper Creek Job Corps should not be privatized. They are integral to the workforce needs of rural America and the jobs should remain in the agencies and with the people who have a track record of proven success.”

On Friday, Governor Bullock had a phone call with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta to urge him to reconsider the decision to close the Job Corps Center. Governor Bullock also sent a letter to both Secretary Acosta and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue last week expressing the value the program has to the students, the community and the state of Montana.