THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT BYRD.

Washington, D.C…. U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced that Huntington Junior College has been awarded a $1.034 million grant to help expand its rapidly developing closed caption technology and training program. The two year grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.

The closed caption program provides a critical link to news, entertainment, and information for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Already, the program is creating well-paying jobs throughout the country. Currently, the average annual salary for closed captioning work is close to $62,000, and such work can be done remotely from the worker’s home – whether they live in West Virginia or outside of the state.

“With this funding, Huntington Junior College will continue to expand its reach far beyond the Cabell County borders,” Byrd said. “The program is providing an invaluable service to people across the state while also providing good-paying jobs that contribute to our economy.”

Huntington Junior College will use the $1.034 million grant to recruit new students and implement critical technology to enhance the distance education program. The funding will also help the program meet personal requirements for instructors, provide student support services, hire a distance education coordinator, and develop scholarship opportunities for students.

“Senator Byrd has shown his compassion for the 268,000 residents of West Virginia who are deaf or hard-of-hearing by supporting the closed captioning program at Huntington Junior College,” Carolyn Smith, President, Huntington Junior College, said. “In addition to ensuring equal access to these residents, Senator Byrd is helping to bring high paying technology-based jobs to the state. We truly appreciate Senator Byrd’s work for the State of West Virginia.”

Last year, Senator Byrd secured more than $1 million for the closed caption program in the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act. In 2004, Byrd also secured $900,000 through federal appropriations to launch the program at Huntington Junior College.

“I am proud to be part of this program and its contributions to West Virginia. People across the Mountain State are being given the chance to train for very well-paying jobs without having to leave their homes,” Byrd added.