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

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.

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

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. 

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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