Duke Energy Foundation awarded Southeastern Community College (SCC) $25,000 to support the workforce and economic efforts through the Agribusiness Technology program.

“Duke Energy is committed to creating access to education and workforce development for people in the communities where we live and work,” said Pam Hardy, Duke Energy District Manager for the Cape Fear region. “Skilled workers allow our communities to thrive. Equipping individuals with critical skills and knowledge is an important part of meeting the state’s evolving workforce needs.”

The Agribusiness Technology program at SCC has big plans to develop a new state-of-the-art greenhouse that will make way for advancing agriculture, horticulture, and animal science research. The grant from Duke Energy Foundation is vital to classroom learning to promote growth in Columbus County and surrounding areas in southeastern North Carolina.

“We are so grateful to have Duke Energy supporting Southeastern Community College,” said Dr. Chris English, SCC President. “They are supporting our mission of workforce development in Columbus County. Their partnership is extremely valuable to our student success and the county’s economic growth.”

The Agribusiness Technology program is looking at the future and finding ways to create opportunities to grow the workforce in Columbus County through sustainable agriculture.

“Support from our stakeholders is making our goals for the Agribusiness Technology Program possible,” said Dawn Hinshaw, Agribusiness Technology Instructor. “Along with our greenhouse, we hope to implement animal science labs that will develop various agricultural skills. Students completing the program should have confidence in their ability to do a wide range of things in industry and the resources we are developing will do that.”

The Agribusiness Technology program has both degree, diploma, and certificate options. Students interested in enrolling in the Agribusiness Technology program can contact Student Services at (910) 642-7141.