The U.S. Department of Education announced that Colby Community College is the recipient of the Rural Postsecondary Economic Development grant for more than $1.23 million over three years. The college is one of eight institutions nationally to receive the funds.

The purpose of the grant is to increase the access, retention, persistence, and completion of higher education credentials among rural students.

According to Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tiffany Evans, the CCC project focuses on growing agriculture education, opportunities, and collaboration.

"We will continue building partnerships between the college and our service region, government workforce entities, the K-12 sector, sister four-year colleges, agriculture-focused business and industry, healthcare, and the nonprofit sector," Evans said.

CCC intends to implement college-wide strategies and initiatives to develop additional agriculture certificates and tracks, hot spots for remote student learning, and hire agronomy and other agriculture faculty. Software packages that aid in academics and planning are also included.

Funding for the grant begins immediately.