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SCC receives more than $525,000 from Appalachian Regional Commission

2016-09-19
Photo of group of people holding a large check.
Lynda Parlett (second from left), executive director of institutional development at SCC, and Jason Lambert (second from right), SCC’s dean of workforce innovations and economic development, were presented $527,379 from the Appalachian Regional Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale. Pictured with Parlett and Lambert are, from left: N.C. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla, ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl, N.C. Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development Pat Mitchell and N.C. Secretary of Information Technology Keith Werner.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded a grant worth $527,379 to Southwestern Community College for its “Pathways to Employment, Education and Training for Automotive and Related Industries” program in Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties.

SCC will use the funding to develop pathway training for careers in advanced automotive manufacturing.

“We’re thrilled to receive this funding in support of the enhancement and expansion of our programs at SCC,” said Lynda Parlett, SCC’s executive director of institutional development. “Through the input of our industry partners, particularly Consolidated Metco and Franklin Tubular Products, we’ve learned that there is a growing need for skilled workers in this area of industry. Because we already offer programs such as welding, mechatronics engineering technology and computer engineering technology, we are perfectly positioned to take these programs to the next level to meet increasing demands.”

The award was part of a nearly $1.8 million investment by ARC to strengthen North Carolina’s economy by expanding manufacturing training programs and bolstering rural w-fi capabilities.

ARC presented the awards to 10 communities as well as SCC and Isothermal Community Colleges on Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Spindale.

“Creating strong curricula and training programs in the automotive and aerospace industries, and expanding wi-fi capabilities in rural communities, will bring new opportunities to North Carolina’s families and communities,” said Earl F. Gohl, ARC federal co-chair. “These investments will help North Carolina’s Appalachian counties compete in a global economy.”

For more information about SCC and its programs, visit www.southwesterncc.edu, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location.

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