SANFORD — The city will apply for $24,000 in Community Development Block Grant Workforce Development funding on behalf of Moody’s Collision Centers to help train workers.

The grant, if approved by the state, will allow Moody’s, which has 11 locations and  across Maine and plans two more in York County — in Wells and York — to keep workers abreast of new technology.

Danielle Moody of Moody’s Co-Worker Owned, Inc. told the City Council that it is difficult to find experienced workers.

Moody’s Collision Centers established their location in Sanford several years ago. But they’re running into a problems others are having too — finding trained workers, Moody said.

“There’s no one that we can bring on who is experienced,’ she told the council.

“You are not alone in trying to find qualified workers,” said City Manager Steve Buck.

Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council Director Jim Nimon in a memo explained the I-Car training workers would undergo is required by many insurance companies.

The company has 170 workers system-wide. If the state approves the training grant, about 60 of them would be eligible for training, which will take place at the Sanford location.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.