Duke Energy reaches $30 million milestone for N.C. Community College System grants

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  • $2.4 million in grants awarded in 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. -- With $2.4 million awarded in 2016, Duke Energy's investment in North Carolina Community Colleges has hit the $30 million mark. This investment came to life through grants to 49 community colleges that have equipped students with industry-specific training.

The grant initiative has developed programs such as robotics, welding and mechatronics, as well as other high-skilled areas that are in demand in North Carolina. 

In 2004, Duke Energy created its Community College Grant Program to partner with local industry by strengthening programs that address regional skills gaps, expand economic opportunities and improve workforce development.

"Duke Energy's investment in our community colleges continues to have a tremendous impact on their ability to respond to talent demands from businesses, both locally and statewide," said George Fouts, interim president of the NC Community College System. "The Duke program has supported equipment and programmatic needs and has resulted in more North Carolinians receiving the high-quality training necessary to successfully enter the workforce."

"Our state's community colleges are key to creating a skilled workforce and thriving business climate in North Carolina," said David Fountain, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Economic development is critical to our state's future and, at Duke Energy, we're committed to developing a workforce that attracts new employers, while expanding the capabilities of existing businesses."

A committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce reviewed applications for more than 100 individual grants to community colleges in Duke Energy's North Carolina service territory.

Duke Energy Community College Program investments

Alamance Community College

$   481,706

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

$   932,660

Beaufort County Community College

$   825,916

Blue Ridge Community College

$   764,867

Brunswick Community College

$   282,436

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

$   250,000

Cape Fear Community College

$   147,592

Carteret Community College

$   248,540

Catawba Valley Community College

$   984,792

Central Carolina Community College

$   419,597

Central Piedmont Community College

$1,763,336

Cleveland Community College

$1,209,876

Craven Community College

$   417,242

Davidson County Community College

$   880,345

Durham Technical Community College

$   680,752

Edgecombe Community College

$   249,500

Forsyth Technical Community College

$1,490,787

Gaston College

$   673,265

Guilford Technical Community College

$   953,471

Halifax Community College

$   249,958

Haywood Community College

$   212,068

Isothermal Community College

$1,396,500

Johnston Community College

$   250,000

Lenoir Community College

$   193,628

Mayland Community College

$   637,177

McDowell Technical Community College

$   709,464

Mitchell Community College

$   207,500

Montgomery Community College

$   250,000

Nash Community College

$   749,926

Piedmont Community College

$   399,373

Randolph Community College

$   975,605

Richmond Community College

$   667,000

Robeson Community College

$   232,290

Rockingham Community College

$   250,000

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

$   984,671

Sampson Community College

$   250,000

Sandhills Community College

$   724,139

South Piedmont Community College

$   949,710

Southeastern Community College

$   469,526

Southwestern Community College

$   250,000

Stanly Community College

$   435,000

Surry Community College

$   250,000

Tri-County Community College

$   521,280

Vance-Granville Community College

$   592,056

Wake Technical Community College

$   375,000

Wayne Community College

$   750,000

Western Piedmont Community College

$   359,667

Wilkes Community College

$   250,000

Wilson Community College

$   160,000

Economic and workforce development is one of the Duke Energy Foundation's investment priorities. Individual community colleges can continue to apply for Duke Energy Foundation grants within the Foundation's annual Education grant cycle. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

NC Community College System
With 58 colleges located across our state and nearly 840,000 students, the North Carolina Community College System is one of the largest institutions of higher education in the United States and is internationally recognized for its programs supporting economic and workforce development. Learn more at www.nccommunitycolleges.edu. Follow NC Community Colleges on Twitter and Facebook.

Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs vital to the health of its communities. Annually, the Foundation funds more than $25 million in charitable grants, with a focus on education, environment, economic and workforce development, and community impact. Duke Energy has long been committed to supporting the communities where its customers and employees live and work, and will continue to build on this legacy. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com

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Contact: Sandy Briscar, NC Community College System
Office: 919.807.6962
Email: briscars@nccommunitycolleges.edu

Contact: Meredith Archie, Duke Energy
Email: meredith.archie@duke-energy.com
Twitter: @DE_MeredithA