Duke Energy and Isothermal Community College announced a $250,000 investment from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will be used to implement the Advanced Skills in Quality project.
The Advanced Skills in Quality project will train individuals that want, have had in the past or already hold positions in machining, manufacturing and quality to help obtain certifications and be ready for high-skilled jobs. Equipment purchased through the Advanced Skills in Quality project will help Isothermal Community College develop a versatile metrology lab that will be used for advanced manufacturing processes and quality control.
“Isothermal Community College is excited and grateful for the opportunity presented by the Duke Energy Foundation. We have been working toward this project for some time. With Duke Energy’s funds, we can now realize the effort with our students,” said Dr. Amber Thompson, dean of Applied Sciences and Technology.
“Our partnership with Isothermal Community College develops a highly-skilled workforce that will help attract and retain jobs in the region for years to come,” said Paul Newton, Duke Energy’s state president – N.C.
This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $6.7 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry.  Since 2004, Duke Energy has awarded $15 million in grants to 24 community colleges within the Duke Energy Carolinas service area. This new $6.7 million investment also includes community colleges located in the Duke Energy Progress service area.
Individual community colleges can apply for funds through the Foundation for the Carolinas (Duke Energy Carolinas customers) or N.C. Community Foundation (Duke Energy Progress customers). Applications will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.
Isothermal Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a comprehensive, two-year, public institution that serves the individuals in Rutherford and Polk counties.
The college offers individual courses and certificate, diploma and degree programs that enable students to transfer to four-year institutions or to acquire skills for new or continued employment, as well as to function effectively as citizens in our society.
In addition, the college provides training for area business and industry, personal enrichment courses, remedial and developmental courses and community service activities. Visit www.isothermal.edu.
Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation’s long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation’s dollars and guide the foundation’s giving.

The foundation makes grants supporting the environment, economic development, education and community vitality. In North Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation invests $16 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community.

– article submitted
by Michael Gavin