Workforce Development

Workforce Development continues to be vitally important to the Tourism Industry and the Rome area. As the local population ages and fewer new workers enter the labor force, there is an inherent limitation in labor pool growth. The initiatives described below are aimed to address long-term solutions for local businesses and organizations:

J1 Visa Program

International students are filling the gap at Sand Valley Golf Resort while adding an international flavor and expanded world view to the Rome area. Meet the 2022 J1 Visa employees in this two part video series.

Culinary Scholarship Opportunities

• An ARPA Grant received by Visit Rome in 2022 gave thirteen students the opportunity to participate in a 100% grant-funded Culinary Arts Certificate Program, an 11-credit program at Midstate Technical College in Fall 2022. Visit Rome continues to provide 100% tuition assistance for the Culinary Arts Certification Program each Fall with hopes of infusing the area with much needed talent in the culinary field.

• For culinary students interested in pursuing an Associate’s Degree in the Culinary Arts, Visit Rome offers a 100% tuition assistance through Midstate’s Sponsor-A-Scholar Program. For each semester funded by Visit Rome, the student commits to working in a culinary capacity at one of the Rome establishments.