The goals and objectives of the Project Skill-Up program will be to strengthen partnerships with business/industry, workforce development and economic development through a collaboration of needs assessments, skills identification, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to eliminate the barriers that inhibit the occupational skills training of unemployed and underemployed residents who have been adversely affected by the decline in tobacco farming and tobacco-related industries. The aim of the grant is to develop additional courses that provide for a wider range of employment/entrepreneurial opportunities for the target population in addition to providing financial assistance for educational related fees in the areas of registration, certification/credentialing cost, required supplies and start-up costs for farming retail businesses. The purpose is to increase and sustain employer engagement, connect students to qualify careers and empower farmers with starting a small business.