Lenoir Community College Receives $25,000 Duke Energy Grant to Launch Electrical Training in Maysville
By: Kayla Britt
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded the Lenoir Community College Foundation a $25,000 grant to support the launch of an accredited electrician training program at the new Maysville Workforce Development Center.
The funding will help LCC design and implement a hands-on training program that prepares students for careers as residential and commercial electricians. The program will emphasize hands-on learning in a realistic training environment, led by highly qualified instructors.
“This investment represents the kind of forward-thinking partnership that strengthens both our college and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Rusty Hunt, LCC President. “By expanding access to high-quality electrical training in Maysville, we are helping build a workforce that will support regional growth for years to come.”
Lauren Wargo, Duke Energy’s Government and Community Relations District Manager, presented the grant to the LCC Foundation.
“At Duke Energy, we believe strong communities are built by investing in people and their potential,” Wargo said. “We are proud to support the Maysville Workforce Development Center and the important work LCC is doing to prepare a skilled workforce.”
A significant portion of the funding will support implementation of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum, a nationally recognized credentialing system aligned with industry standards. This will provide consistent, high-quality training and portable credentials that strengthen long-term employability.
Grant funds will also cover instructional materials, including NCCER textbooks, lab equipment, electrical training modules, and safety supplies, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in wiring, circuitry, troubleshooting, and code-compliant installation techniques.
The grant will also support faculty development, including instructor recruitment, certification, and training aligned with National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
Jeanne Kennedy, LCC Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, emphasized the program’s local impact.
“By providing access to hands-on training, industry-recognized education, and clear career pathways, this program will help individuals become confident, job-ready professionals,” Kennedy said.
The Lenoir Community College Foundation expressed its gratitude to the Duke Energy Foundation for its continued support of workforce development initiatives in Maysville and the surrounding region.
Pictured left to right, front row: Dr. Rusty Hunt, LCC President; Maria Robles, LCC Associate Dean of Jones County Center; Wayne Sayland, Maysville Mayor; Schumata Brown, Maysville Town Manager; and Lauren Wargo, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations District Manager. Second row: Jeanne Kennedy, LCC Executive Director of Institutional Advancement; Jennifer King, Jones County Deputy Director of Administration & Consolidated Human Services Director; Jason Barker, Maysville Public Works Supervisor; and Dr. John Paul Black, LCC Senior Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development. Third row: Carl Baugus, Maysville Police Chief; Dan Ryan, Maysville Pro-Tempore; Zaire Montieth, Maysville Director of Strategic Initiatives & Downtown Development; Portia Bradford, Maysville Town Clerk.
