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Southern Nevada’s logistics sector is growing in part because of proximity to larger transportation hubs. (alvarez/Getty Images)

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development has approved $376,000 in state funding to build out logistics training at the College of Southern Nevada, a move aimed at bolstering one of the area’s fastest-growing industries.

The grant, part of the Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada fund, will support the creation of logistics and operations training programs at CSN’s North Las Vegas campus and the Westside Education and Training Center. The initiative includes the construction of four logistics labs and the certification of instructors to lead the courses.

Southern Nevada’s logistics sector is growing in part because of proximity to larger transportation hubs. The Port of Los Angeles sits about 300 miles to the southwest, and Phoenix is 300 miles to the southeast. The area’s Regional Transportation Commission estimates that the logistics sector in Southern Nevada supports around 80 jobs, a figure that is expected to grow as demand increases.

The new training program at CSN will be designed around specialized education that aligns with local industry requirements. Local employers Findlay Automotive Group and Sunshine Minting are partnering with CSN to support the program, and their involvement is expected to help shape the curriculum and potentially offer employment opportunities to program graduates.

$1.7 million approved to support workforce training in logistics, nursing and mining: . — Nevada GOED (@DiversifyNevada)

The logistics training initiative is part of a broader $1.7 million investment by the WINN fund, which also includes $485,000 to expand CSN’s nursing program and $832,230 for advanced mining training at Great Basin College in Elko.

The WINN fund has now distributed nearly $8.7 million this biennium, or two-year budget cycle, targeting industries it says are key to Nevada’s economic future.