[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY'S METROPOLITAN EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
                            SERVICES PROGRAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Northern 
Kentucky University's Metropolitan Education and Training Services, 
METS, program. The ceremony to formally dedicate the METS center is 
scheduled for this morning in Boone County, KY.
  The rapid rate of economic growth in the Northern Kentucky / 
Cincinnati metropolitan area has created a need for better-trained 
workers. In an attempt to address this problem, Northern Kentucky 
University has developed an innovative partnership with the Tri-County 
Economic Development Corporation, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of 
Commerce, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and Delta Air 
Lines. The partnership ensures that the workforce has the skills needed 
to promote the region's growth.
  Businesses that need educational services or a certain skill-set for 
its employees can contact METS, who will work with Northern Kentucky 
University to design the appropriate curriculum. If Northern Kentucky 
University does not offer a particular set of classes, METS arranges 
for students to take classes at other institutions via the Internet or 
Tele-conferencing.
  The opening of this new state-of-the-art corporate training center is 
exciting for the region's business community and Northern Kentucky 
University. I am confident that METS can serve as a model for rapidly 
growing metropolitan communities, and I am pleased that this facility 
is in the Commonwealth. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the official dedication of Northern Kentucky University's METS center.

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