The Lowe’s Foundation recently awarded $500,000 to Blue Ridge Community College as a part of a select group of community and technical colleges receiving Gable Grants nationwide.
Since awarding its first grants in 2023, the Lowe’s Foundation has expanded skilled trades career pathways through its growing roster of funded partners of 60 community colleges and nonprofit organizations across 28 states.
Through expanded training, grants to this cohort will help build the next generation of skilled tradespeople at a time when the industry needs it the most. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the skilled labor gap drives a $10 billion annual economic loss in the housing industry.
The grant will help Blue Ridge Community College support ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts through expanded training for advanced manufacturing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and construction apprenticeships. The grant will also help Blue Ridge hiring certified instructors and offering tuition support to students from across Western North Carolina.
“Collectively, we are writing a comeback story for the skilled trades industry,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation. “Through our Gable Grants network, these schools join a community of innovators helping one another effectively recruit, train and employ the people America needs to revitalize our infrastructure.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the Lowe’s Foundation for this investment in our workforce and the skilled trades that are vital to strengthening and rebuilding our community,” said Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “As Western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, the Gable Grant helps students prepare for essential careers that will enable them to support their families while contributing to the region’s long-term resilience.”
Since 2023, the Lowe’s Foundation has awarded $43 million in Gable Grants to help educate and advocate for the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The grants support training programs focusing on carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and property maintenance. These grants are the latest in the Lowe’s Foundation’s five-year, $50 million commitment to support the training of 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.
The application cycle for community-based nonprofit organizations will be open in August and is by invitation only. Interested organizations should email [email protected] for application information.
Written by the Lowe’s Foundation.