CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today announced that more than $100,000 in Job Training grants have been awarded to eight companies from the North Country to the Seacoast.

Job Training grants are aimed at keeping jobs in New Hampshire by helping New Hampshire companies compete globally. Gov. Lynch made it a priority to reinstate the Job Training Fund, which distributes up to $1 million annually in matching grants to allow companies to train new workers or retrain longtime employees.

“Job Training grants play a valuable role in helping New Hampshire workers and companies succeed. They provide our businesses with the skilled workers needed to compete in this changing global economy,” Gov. Lynch said. “I have visited a number of companies who have already received grants, I look forward to seeing more New Hampshire businesses using this important tool designed to help strengthen our economy.”

The March 2008 recipients are: LRG Healthcare in Laconia; Wirebelt of Londonderry; HiRel Systems in Dover; Yates Electric in Durham; Measured Progress of Dover; Fisher Controls International in Portsmouth; Genfoot America, Inc., of Littleton and Lydall in Ossipee.

The eight companies will receive a total of $105,114 in state grants, with those companies providing $132,828 in matching funds. The grants will allow 338 workers to receive job training.

Since the first grants from the re-established Job Training Fund were awarded in December, 18 companies from across New Hampshire have received state grants totaling over $492,000. Companies receiving grants have contributed more than $800,000, bringing the total amount invested in new training for workers to more than $1.2 million. Nearly 700 workers across the state are receiving training funded in part by Job Training grants.

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.

“These grants are a valuable tool in helping local companies to remain competitive, expand the skill set of their workers and expand their service offerings,” said New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. “I strongly encourage any company that is interested in building a stronger workforce to apply for grant funding.”

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