Community colleges receive almost a million dollars from Duke Energy Community College Grant Program May 22, 2008

RALEIGH - Four North Carolina community colleges will share almost a million dollars in the latest grant awards from the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program.

Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock will receive $250,000 to enhance programs in machining and other manufacturing training. Cleveland Community College in Shelby will receive $250,000 to upgrade and expand its welding program. Welding is also the focus of a $219,464 grant to McDowell Technical Community College in Marion. Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem will receive $ 197,372 for training programs in supply chain management.

“This is an exceptional investment in vital workforce training for manufacturing from one of our most important funding partners,” according to Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System.

Ralls serves on the program’s advisory committee, which awards the grants, with Jim Fain, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce; and Tony Almeida, Vice President of Business Relations and Economic Development, Duke Energy Carolinas.

Duke Energy began its Community and Technical College Grant Program in 2004. This month’s awards bring the number of grants to 33, with a total investment of almost $7 million and an additional $7 million available for future grants. Twenty of the state’s 58 community colleges have received grants.

"This program is a meaningful way for Duke Energy to help its customers remain successful in North Carolina. The manufacturing customers we serve and those considering a move to our region tell us a highly trained workforce is essential," said Ellen Ruff, president of Duke Energy Carolinas.

Projects funded through the grant, which range up to $250,000 each, must address training, retraining and other efforts to strengthen manufacturing. Also, they must fall within Duke Energy's service area, which is concentrated in the Piedmont manufacturing corridor and in the mountains. Examples of funded programs include Integrated Systems Technology Training at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, BioWorks training for Gaia Herbs at Blue Ridge Community College, and exceptionally successful training in machining at Tri-County Community College in Murphy.

Staff members from the NC Community College System, the NC Department of Commerce and Duke Energy work with advisory committee members and the Foundation for the Carolinas in Charlotte to administer the programs.

Committee members say the most important outcome for measuring the program’s success is the number of manufacturing jobs created, retained or enhanced by funded projects. According to Foundation for the Carolinas reports, a conservative estimate of the number of manufacturing jobs created by employers participating in the funded projects is approximately a thousand, with at least 1800 retained thanks to improved productivity.

"A strong workforce is essential to our economic development efforts," said Fain. "By supporting these programs, today's grants will help ensure our continued success in creating jobs and investment for the people of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Community College System enrolls more than 800,000 students in 58 comprehensive community colleges. Internationally recognized for the scope and quality of its programs, the system is North Carolina's primary provider of workforce preparation and adult education.

See below for the full list of Duke Energy Community College Grants to date. Applications for the next round are due June 30, 2008. Grants will be announced in August.

For details, visit the website at http://www.duke-energy.com/community/education/community-technical-college-grants.asp