Congressman Patrick McHenry today announced the U.S. House of Representatives approved $150,000 in funding for the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies, a workforce development program based in Hickory. The funding was included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2008 (H.R. 3043).

“These funds will help the Engineering Center continue expanding the quality and quantity of programs available to local students,” said Congressman McHenry. “And you’ll see more and more businesses looking to invest in Western North Carolina because of the opportunity to hire the Engineering Center’s exceptionally-trained workers.”

The North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies is designed to serve the workforce needs of existing and emerging industries in Western North Carolina. Product development, business process improvement, and technical engineering programs comprise its core curriculum. The Center also collaborates with the business community to determine future programs and initiatives based on the needs of those employers.

“This Center is an ideal coalition of education, manufacturing and community leaders, working together to improve our training and educational opportunities for our region,” the Congressman added.

The Engineering Center works in close coordination with the Future Forward Economic Alliance, an Economic Development Administration-sponsored entity working to create a comprehensive economic development strategy for 12 counties in Western North Carolina. Future Forward worked with local business and government leaders to raise start-up money for the Center and acquire a 55,200 square foot facility for it.

“I am extremely happy Congressman McHenry was effective in obtaining this funding for us,” said Future Forward Chairman Pete Miller. “The Center is going to be a real boon for our area because of its ability to attract new industries.”

Western Carolina University (WCU) works in partnership with the Center on its degree programs, which will eventually become part of the University of North Carolina System, making it the first such institution in the Tenth Congressional District.

“Education is the key to economic growth, and we’ll continue pushing to fund the initiatives that will ensure our region is a magnet for new businesses,” Congressman McHenry added.

The House passed H.R. 3043 by a vote of 276 to 140. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.