The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded $2 million for work force training in Mississippi high schools.

ARC co-chairman Anne B. Pope says the money will be spent at schools in distressed counties, such as Clay, Webster and Winston.

Pope says the funds will allow teachers to purchase equipment to teach and develop job skills in high school students and also aid in getting them to college.

The state will put up $500,000.

The ARC also announced a $339,000 grant to Mississippi State University so it can coordinate work force aid programs for area high schools.

The ARC met Thursday in Tupelo. It works on job creation and highway development in 13 states, from north Mississippi to New York.