Scotland County's share of the $5.9 million being given to the state for green job training is still undetermined, though local officials believe the region will receive about $1.4 million to split between Scotland, Robeson, Hoke and Bladen counties.

The money given to the region is designated for two programs, one to provide training for green jobs and one to teach people to grow their own food, according to Dana Powell, administrator of the Workforce Development Division of the Lumber River Council of Government.

Powell was uncertain if the $1.4 million figure was accurate for the grant amount and is waiting for information from the state on how much money they will receive and how it will be spent.

Powell expects the training will be delivered through the region's four community colleges – at Richmond, Robeson, Sandhills and Bladen community colleges – but is unsure when the training will be offered or how many of the colleges may participate.

The administrator listed three variables she believes will be a factor: how much money is available, how many residents in the region are interested in the training, and which colleges are interested in providing this kind of training.

Depending on costs, Powell said other options may be to have partnerships between the colleges where just one may provide the training.

Powell thought it odd that federal officials initially said all $5.9 million was going to Scotland County, especially since Scotland was not included when her office initially began the grant application process.

LRCOG was going to ask the money be used just for Robeson County, but decided to include Scotland when state officials told them they had hoped these funds would be used for regional programs.

The inclusion of Scotland County was also important for the process as special consideration was being given to those affected by the decline of the auto industry.

FCC, a local producer of transmissions, laid off a portion of its work force last year, which qualified Scotland as an auto-impact county.

Powell said the Lumber River Council of Governments will release information as they receive it on how the grant money will be spent.

The residents of Scotland County make up about 16 percent of the 225,000 people living in the four county area to be affected by the grant, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

The Lumber River Council of Governments is one of 17 regional North Carolina councils of governments established by the North Carolina General Assembly for the purpose of regional planning and administration. Headquartered in Lumberton, it serves Scotland, Richmond, Hoke, Robeson and Bladen counties.

Richmond County will not benefit from the grant.