Duke Energy awards $250,000 to Johnston Community College

Published: June 23, 2014

Duke Energy and Johnston Community College (JCC) today announced a $250,000 investment from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will be used to develop an advanced welding certificate program at the College.

The two-year project will also address the need for robotic technology in and surrounding Johnston County by establishing an American Welding Society (AWS) training facility to provide and validate the robotics skill set needed by companies in the region.

"Johnston Community College is so grateful for this significant award from Duke Energy Foundation," said David N. Johnson, JCC president. "This investment will allow JCC the opportunity to participate in the revitalization of manufacturing in our region by offering advanced robotic welder training, a skill set that is needed in many of our surrounding industries."

"Our partnership with Johnston Community College develops a highly skilled workforce that will attract and retain businesses in the region for years to come," said Paul Newton, Duke Energy's state president – North Carolina.

This grant is part of Duke Energy's $30 million investment in North Carolina Community Colleges in support of technical education that help recruit new and retain existing industries in North Carolina.

Individual community colleges can apply for funds through the Foundation for the Carolinas (Duke Energy Carolinas customers) or NC 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.

About Johnston Community College

Established in 1969, Johnston Community College serves some 15,000 students each year in its credit and non-credit programs. To learn more about JCC's educational and training opportunities, visit www.johnstoncc.edu.

About Duke Energy Foundation

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/.