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�鶹��Ƶ, alongside local dignitaries and partner organizations, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the college’s new Workforce Education Center in Old Fort, NC on Wednesday, the college’s first presence in the town. The new center will provide workforce training opportunities and diversify the local and regional economy with focused opportunities in manufacturing, construction, trail development and other areas with emerging workforce needs.

A standing-room only crowd filled the center’s largest classroom for the ceremony. Attendees heard congratulations and accolades from McDowell Chamber of Commerce CEO Kim Effler, town and county partners, Pam Snypes, Mayor of Old Fort, and Tony Brown, McDowell County Commission Chair as well as Golden LEAF Foundation president, Scott Hamilton. Dr. J.W. Kelley, president of �鶹��Ƶ, opened the ceremony by announcing, “The Town of Old Fort is now a ‘College Town!’”

The Workforce Education Center is dedicated to the late Rickey Hensley and Andrew Carleton, Old Fort Mayor and Alderman, respectively. Carleton had championed the idea of a Workforce Education Center in Old Fort before his passing, and Hensley continued to carry a torch for the project until his own passing just under a year ago. Alderman Iretha Hancock spoke of the passion Carleton and Hensley had for making Old Fort a better place to live and work. Both saw this project as a critical part of Old Fort’s growth and prosperity. Near the end of Wednesday’s ceremony, Hancock and Madalyn Gaito, the college’s Director of Development and Board Liaison, unveiled a plaque in the lobby of the new center dedicating the space to Hensley and Carleton.

Mayor Snypes first heard about the college’s vision for the new center when she was appointed last year as Old Fort’s new mayor. She sees the college’s presence in Old Fort as something that can help the town move forward after the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “I look at it as a starting point for the town to refresh,” she said.

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce will be a partner in the college’s economic development efforts in Old Fort. Chamber President and CEO Kim Effler said that the Workforce Education Center would brighten futures, build stronger families and create a more resilient county. She challenged everyone present to continue to… “Dream big, collaborate often and create the kind of community that we are proud to call home.”

Chair of the McDowell County Commissioners, Tony Brown emphasized the enormous role that education plays in economic development and thanked all of those who worked so hard to bring the Workforce Education Center to Old Fort.

“Although (Old Fort) is going through a tough time with the destruction of Hurricane Helene,” said Scott Hamilton, President of Golden LEAF Foundation, “programs like this will help (the town) recover from disasters and bring economic stability. This is, as I have said, an exciting day for the town, the county, the community college, employers and, most especially, those students who are going to benefit from the training and be able to get a job. When I talk about a job, it is hope, opportunity and dignity.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to promote economic development in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent counties. �鶹��Ƶ received a Community-Based Initiative Grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. Other fiscal partners include an Economic Development Administration grant through the American Rescue Plan and Coal Communities Commitment Program, and the Town of Old Fort. With support from Dogwood Health Trust, the NC Rural Center and Foothills Regional Commission, who were each instrumental in grant writing and technical assistance for the project, the grants and partnerships allowed the college to renovate the Historic Rockett Building to become the �鶹��Ƶ Workforce Education Center.

In addition to these partners, Dr. Kelley introduced those responsible for upfitting the Rockett Building for educational use, while maintaining its primary historic status. The architecture firm of Holland and Hamrick redesigned interior spaces at the new facility, and created a refreshed façade for the exterior of the building. Renovation work began in the fall of 2023 and was completed approximately one year later, with T.C. Strickland Construction Company of Shelby, NC serving as general contractor.

The ribbon-cutting and dedication concluded with the celebratory cutting of the ribbon by Kay Medford, Vice-Chair of the college’s board of trustees.

“Five years ago, the inception of a dream for Old Fort to be a ‘College Town’ was whispered. Together, we are trumpeting our success despite the destruction of Hurricane Helene and the current wild fires,” said Dr. Kelley. “The people of Old Fort, and McDowell County, have a resiliency that no storm nor fire can stop. The �鶹��Ƶ Workforce Education Center in Old Fort fuels the resiliency into a hope for future careers and economic mobility. Together we can take care of future generations and make sure that our citizens and our county prosper.”

To discover more about �鶹��Ƶ and your opportunities for Life Long Learning, visit www.mcdowelltech.edu or call 828-652-6021.