ELIZABETHTOWN — Fayetteville Technical Community College and Bladen Community College have partnered to increase truck-driver training in the region.
The colleges made the agreement official Wednesday in a signing ceremony at BCC. The arrangement allows students enrolled at either school to use FTCC’s truck-driving instruction facility, including an expanded driving pad scheduled to open in 2024, and Bladen’s new driving simulator.
“I firmly believe we’re stronger together in the community college system working in ways where we can extend training that might otherwise be hard to sustain in a rural area,” FTCC President Mark Sorrells said.
The presidents of both schools emphasized the potential for economic development.
“Having a truck-driver training opportunity for our local community is going to impact not only our students in the area but all of our businesses,” BCC President Amanda Lee said.
Sorrells noted that similar partnerships are planned, including a truck-driving training agreement with Robeson Community College that should follow the opening of FTCC’s driving training pad.
“Almost all of us are working in a parking lot, which limits the number of students and the number of trucks we can put on that pad at a time,” he said. “This will expand our opportunity set exponentially, and we’re sharing that opportunity with Bladen and eventually with Robeson to really help create more economic development.”
The partnership is part of the colleges’ efforts to address the national truck driver shortage and is funded with a $247,200 state grant, the release said.
The money is part of $2 million in funding to be distributed to nine applications representing 14 community colleges.
Last fall, the American Trucking Association said there is a shortage of 78,000 truck drivers across the country.
FTCC is one of 34 community colleges in the state to offer truck driver training.
Read more about the program from the N.C. Community Colleges System at truck driver training website.
CityVew News Fund receives $150,000 grant from Cumberland Community Foundation
The CityView News Fund received a $150,000 multiyear grant on July 13 aimed at strengthening local news coverage in Fayetteville.
The grant was awarded by the Cumberland Community Foundation through the Innovative Fund for Community Progress and the Dr. Lucile Hutaff Community Advancement Fund.
Money donated to CityView News Fund will be matched, up to $50,000, during the first year. Proceeds will support local news and expanding coverage.
For more information, visit cityviewnewsfund.org
Edward Jones pledges millions to Alzheimer’s awareness, care
Since launching an alliance with the Alzheimer's Association in 2016, Edward Jones has committed to contributing $50 million over a 10-year period, the largest pledge ever by a corporate partner.
The money will enhance access to care and support programs, expand education materials for Edward Jones clients and associates, and advance critical Alzheimer’s research, according to a news release.
Alzheimer’s is one of the most expensive diseases, with a lifetime cost of care of more than $392,000, according to Alzheimer's Association Disease Facts and Figures. More than 6 million Americans live with the disease today, and more than 11 million family members and friends serve as Alzheimer’s caregivers.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s and the association and other resources for families, visit www.alz.org.
Edward Jones is a leading financial services firm in the U.S. and Canada. The firm’s nearly 19,000 financial advisers serve more than 8 million clients.
SECU awards summer-camp scholarships to 185 youths
RALEIGH — State Employees’ Credit Union recently completed its second annual summer camp awards campaign, sending 185 youth members to camp with a $500 scholarship each.
SECU received more than 300 applications from youths who entered the statewide contest using their artistic skills or writing talents. Scholarships awarded during the 2023 campaign totaled $92,500, with as many as two winners selected per branch in a random drawing, according to a news release.
SECU’s program began in 2022, and applications have increased 34%. The cumulative two-year award total is $162,500, the release said.
Jami McLaughlin is new director of events for Greater Fayetteville Chamber
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber has hired Jami McLaughlin as director of events.
She will oversee affiliated groups including the Military Affairs Council, Government Relations Committee, and Chamber Ambassador Program.
McLaughlin is the former executive director of the Greater Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce and the downtown development manager for the city of Fayetteville. She also is the Spring Lake town historian and author of “Images of America: Spring Lake, NC.”
