Congressman Patrick McHenry today announced the U.S. House of Representatives approved $146,000 in funding for the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies, a workforce development program based in Hickory. The funding was included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2008 (H.R.2764).

“An educated workforce is essential for economic growth, and this funding will provide a big boost to worker training in Western North Carolina,” said Congressman McHenry. “The Engineering Center is a real asset to our region and a great resource for workers in industrial fields.”

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.

“The Engineering Center is a great example of education, business, and community leaders teaming up to create economic development opportunities for our region.”

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.

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.

H.R. 2764 now awaits the President’s signature.