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Fulton County outlines inmate vocational training tied to USDA/TVA grants; forklift purchase part of plan
Summary
County staff described a vocational certification program for inmates funded by USDA/TVA grants, including forklift and OSHA 10 training; a forklift purchase is eligible for 100% reimbursement under a USDA grant, but state sourcing issues paused procurement until vendor contract documentation is provided.
Fulton County staff outlined a vocational training program for inmates that will issue certifications and use grant funding to equip training space.
Speaker 2 described plans to use inmate labor and certified instruction to provide OSHA 10, forklift operator and construction-related certifications. The program will issue transferable records to trainees so prospective employers can verify completed modules. The county plans to use a USDA grant and a TVA training component to fund equipment and instruction; Speaker 3 noted the forklift purchase is 100% reimbursable under the USDA grant but that the low-bid vendor could not document a state contract source, so procurement of the forklift and an associated van was paused pending verification.
Speaker 2 said the Recycle Building roof has been secured and a $14,000 roll from the grant was used to prepare the building; the county will use inmate labor and value-engineering to stay under grant estimates. Training is expected to begin as equipment arrives: a vendor was scheduled to arrive on the 25th (transcript reference) to start forklift and OSHA training modules, and staff expects to issue certificates as modules are passed before the program's March completion date.
County officials framed the program as rehabilitation-oriented, giving inmates tangible credentials to improve post-release employment prospects. Staff will verify vendor contract documentation before finalizing equipment purchases to ensure grant reimbursement requirements are met.
