CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today announced that companies in Keene and North Haverhill will receive Job Training grants, which are aimed at helping New Hampshire companies compete globally and at keeping jobs in New Hampshire.

Smith Medical ASD Inc., of Keene and Upper Valley Press of North Haverhill have been awarded grants through the newly reinstated Job Training Fund, which will distribute up to $1 million in matching grants annually to allow companies to train new workers or retrain longtime employees. Gov. Lynch made reinstating the Job Training Fund a priority.

“We are committed to helping New Hampshire workers and companies succeed, and our businesses need skilled workers to compete in this changing global economy. The Job Training Fund allows the state to partner with companies to keep jobs and businesses growing here in New Hampshire,” Gov. Lynch said. “The Job Training Fund is important to businesses and workers, and the future economic growth of our state. That is why I am pleased see a number of companies using this important tool, and I look forward to seeing more New Hampshire businesses using these grants.”

Smith Medical received a matching grant of $83,991.50 that will be used to train up to 101 employees at the company in a “Technician Training Program,” which will include courses in servicing hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems. The company will provide over $228,000 in matching funds for the training.

Upper Valley Press will train 15 key employees in a variety of management areas. The company received a $7,500 grant from the Job Training Fund, and the company will match that amount.

Since the first grants from the re-established Job Training Fund were awarded in December, 11 companies from across New Hampshire have received state grants totaling over $387,000. Companies receiving grants have contributed more than $700,000, bringing the total amount invested in new training for workers to over $1 million. Nearly 350 workers across the state are receiving training funded in part by Job Training grants.

“Governor John Lynch made the Job Training Fund a priority last year because he knew there was a demand by employers for new and incumbent worker training,” said Michael Vlacich, Director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development. “These latest figures certainly provide proof that employers will create training partnerships.”

A 10-member Job Training Grant Review Committee reviews the applications and makes recommendations to state Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. The Workforce Opportunity Council administers the Job Training Fund for DRED.

For more information about the Job Training Fund, go to www.nhjobtrainingfund.org.