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Duke helping to launch community learning center

The Duke Energy Foundation recently visited the future site of the Huntington County Community Learning Center to present a $30,000 grant, which will be used to help launch the center.
The Duke Energy Foundation recently visited the future site of the Huntington County Community Learning Center to present a $30,000 grant, which will be used to help launch the center. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded $30,000 to help launch the Huntington County Community Learning Center.

The center will offer classes leading to workplace certifications and two- and four-year degrees.

The grant brings the total raised for the center to about $825,000, says Steve Kimmel, executive director of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce. The learning center development team is working to raise a total of $1.3 million, he adds.

The learning center will provide skills training and education for a number of in-demand occupations, including industrial maintenance workers, precision machinists, certified welders, certified nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians and information technology specialists.

Area industries are looking to hire employees with these skills, Kimmel says. As industry demands change, the learning center's offerings will evolve to meet those needs.

"We are grateful for Duke Energy's support of this crucial initiative to train and retain a skilled workforce for our region," Kimmel says. "A well-trained labor pool is invaluable as we strive to increase economic development and jobs in our area."

"Giving back to the communities we serve is an important part of who we are as a company," says Laura Sheets, Duke Energy community relations manager for Huntington County. "This educational investment will pay dividends for the region for years to come."

Organizers plan to open the center for adult education in October. Youth instruction is planned to begin in January 2015. Additions to the building will house a welding bay, offices and a conference room. Existing space will be renovated for use as classrooms.

The center will be housed at an existing building at 2201 N. Jefferson St., in Huntington, which is owned by the Huntington County Community School Corporation.

For information about future class offerings, call the learning center at 356-2858. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Complete caption: The Duke Energy Foundation recently visited the future site of the Huntington County Community Learning Center to present a $30,000 grant, which will be used to help launch the center. Attending the presentation were (front row, from left) Bill Petranoff, economic development manager for Duke Energy; Laura Sheets, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy; Ed Vessels, a member of the learning center development team; Tiffanney Drummond, learning center director; and Jenna Strick, executive director of the Huntington County United Way and a member of the learning center development team; and (back row, from left) learning center development team members Steve Kimmel, executive director of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce; John Niederman, president of Pathfinder Services; Mark Wickersham, executive director of Huntington County Economic Development; and Karen Green, of Work One Northeast.