Wabash County, IN (June 9, 2020) – Grow Wabash County has secured $15,000 in grant
funding from Duke Energy on behalf of Heartland Career Center (HCC).
The Duke Energy Powerful Communities Grant focuses on developing workforce development
training programs, namely ones that provide opportunities for under-represented, low income
residents.
“The Heartland Career Center can change the future for low-income, unemployed workers
and their families by giving them skills that lead to good jobs,” said Kevin Johnston, Duke
Energy community relations manager for Wabash County. “Workforce development efforts
like this are one of the priorities of our company’s shareholder-funded foundation.”
The $15,000 awarded to Grow Wabash County will be utilized to help HCC build a 35,000 sq.-ft
Adult Certification Learning Center that will house a variety of adult vocational training
programs that are based on local workforce needs.
“We are honored to once again partner with Duke Energy on supporting another great project
in Wabash County. The expansion of the Heartland Career Center to allow for additional
programming in advanced manufacturing and health care, along with new adult education
opportunities fills a great need for not only our residents but our business community as
well,” said Keith Gillenwater, President & CEO of Grow Wabash County. “We would like to
thank Duke Energy, the Duke Energy Foundation, the team at Heartland Career Center, and
everyone who has had a hand in bringing this project to fruition.”
Some of the funds will also help HCC purchase the necessary course materials and equipment
to provide students a high-quality training experience that will help them transition
seamlessly into gainful employment.
News Release
Contact: Chelsea Boulrisse, Grow Wabash County, 260.563.5258, chelsea@growwabashcounty.com
“The Learning Center will positively impact unemployed or underemployed populations in our
region and will in turn help families and business and industry,” Mark Hobbs, director of
Heartland Career Center, said. “We are grateful for community partners like Duke Energy for
their support of our efforts in gathering financial matching dollar support as we continue to
feel optimistic about the $5 million federal grant we are pursuing.”
Grow Wabash County thanks Duke Energy for their continued partnership and their
enthusiastic support for the many big-picture initiatives in Wabash County that are creating
new and impactful opportunities for all Wabash County residents.