Jul. 30--The U.S. House of Representatives has approved critical funding that Rep. Ed Whitfield requested for West Kentucky Community and Technical College automotive training.

The House last week passed House Resolution 3293, the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $250,000 to buy equipment for a proposed skilled crafts training center in the former Twin Hills Collectibles building in Hickory Industrial Park off U.S. 45 in Graves County. The equipment is vital to WKCTC's automotive and diesel technology-training programs, said Whitfield, R-Hopkinsville.

"In this challenging economic climate, we need to do all that we can to help people find and secure jobs," he said.

Whitfield said the money will help train people looking for auto industry work, as well as help attract new businesses looking for skilled employees.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Warden Electric Co., with offices in Paducah and Murray, is the new exclusive distributor of Tulsa, Okla.-based FW Murphy Co. products in Kentucky, Tennessee and parts of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

Warden, an electrical apparatus sales and repair company, will market most Murphy products through select dealers and direct sales. Warden will install and service certain Murphy products requiring extensive factory-trained technicians, owner John Warden said.

Warden is one of 11 U.S. master distributors for Murphy, which makes industrial, gas and oil products to monitor, control and protect engine-driven equipment. With related divisions of Compliance Controls and Murphy Power Ignition, Murphy is considered a leader in its field, Warden said.

Jeremy White, a CPA in Paducah, will lead a discussion group each Wednesday in August with the goal of helping area residents successfully get through the current economic crunch.

The weekly, one-hour sessions start at 6:55 a.m. next Wednesday at Pizza Inn, 1001 Joe Clifton Drive.

White co-authored, "Surviving Financial Meltdown: Confident Decisions in an Uncertain World," which was released in January.

Pizza Inn and Paducah's Men Who Win Ministries are sponsoring the discussion group.

Information: info@menwhowin.com.

Business Editor Joe Walker and Managing Editor Duke Conover contributed to this column.

Biz Buzz now appears on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Got a tip? Call Joe Walker at 575-8656, send a fax to 442-7859 or e-mail buzz@paducahsun.com.

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