News Releases Archives - 91�첥

Building America’s Next Energy Workforce

Paula Vess — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:56:05 +0000

Building America’s Next Energy Workforce

News Releases

September 30, 2026

Share on

CCC has been selected as a workforce development partner in the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas, known as the Carolinas Grid Engine, a regional initiative that could bring more than 10,000 jobs to the Carolinas while modernizing the nation’s electric grid, strengthening domestic energy supply chains, and preparing workers for high-demand energy careers.

“As an organization dedicated to workforce excellence and economic mobility, 91�첥 is honored to be part of this transformative regional partnership,” said 91�첥 President Dr. Jason Hurst. “The Carolinas Grid Engine aligns closely with our mission of preparing students for high-demand careers while helping address one of our nation’s most significant infrastructure and energy challenges.”

As a workforce development partner, 91�첥 will help develop the skilled workforce needed to support emerging energy technologies through STEM education, career-connected learning, apprenticeships, and industry partnerships. The college’s involvement reflects its ongoing commitment to creating pathways to family-sustaining careers while supporting economic growth in Cleveland County and throughout the region.

Led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and supported through the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program, the Carolinas Grid Engine brings together more than 100 partners across North and South Carolina to help solve one of America’s most important infrastructure challenges while strengthening the regional economy, creating jobs, and accelerating technologies that improve U.S. competitiveness.

The Carolinas Grid Engine will receive an initial $15 million over two years, with the potential for up to $160 million over 10 years. The initiative will support the development of new technologies, strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and expand workforce development opportunities across a 36-county region in North and South Carolina.

Earlier this year, when the Carolinas Grid Engine was selected as a finalist for the Regional Innovation Engines program, Hurst participated in the NSF site visit at UNC Charlotte. The site visit represented the final stage of the NSF review process and highlighted the strength of the Engine’s cross-sector partnerships.

The Carolinas Grid Engine seeks to advance new technologies for transmission, distribution, and generation while creating a thriving domestic manufacturing ecosystem and reducing the time required to move innovative grid technologies from research to deployment. Through partnerships among universities, community colleges, K-12 school systems, industry leaders, utilities, government agencies, and economic development organizations, the initiative will position the Carolinas as a national hub for energy innovation and workforce development.

For 91�첥, participation in the Carolinas Grid Engine represents an opportunity to strengthen workforce pipelines, expand employer partnerships, and create new opportunities for students and residents across Cleveland County while supporting the nation’s energy future.

News Releases

Share on

The post Building America’s Next Energy Workforce appeared first on CCC.

CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship

Paula Vess — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:50:57 +0000

News

CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship

News Releases

August 13, 2026

Paula Vess

Share on

The 91�첥 Foundation has received a $34,000 donation from Jolly Good Samaritan Scholarship LLC to establish the Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship, supporting students enrolled in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs at 91�첥.

The gift includes a $30,000 endowed contribution to create the scholarship fund and an additional $4,000 in spendable funds, allowing scholarship awards to begin during the 2026-27 academic year.

The scholarship honors the life and legacy of Mary Elizabeth Jolly, a 91�첥-trained paramedic whose commitment to helping others continues to inspire her family, friends, and colleagues.

Jolly served with Gaston County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) from 2021 until her death in 2025. Throughout her career, she was recognized for her compassion, professionalism, and dedication to serving others. She was a member of the department’s swift water rescue team and received numerous honors, including Outstanding Paramedic in 2023 and Excellence in Operational Readiness in 2025. In 2026, she was posthumously awarded the Gaston County Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, which has since been renamed the Mary Jolly Distinguished Service Award.

Jolly’s final act reflected the spirit that defined her life. While traveling in Florida, she stopped to assist a driver involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered fatal injuries while rendering aid.

The scholarship was established by Jolly’s family to ensure her legacy of service continues through future generations of emergency medical professionals.

“Mary’s story is not the tragedy of how her life ended; it is the example of how she chose to live,” the family shared. “She loved being a paramedic and dedicated her life to helping people on what was often their worst day. Through this scholarship, we hope to encourage future EMS professionals to carry that same spirit of service forward.”

The scholarship will provide financial assistance to students enrolled in EMS programs at 91�첥, with preference given to those pursuing Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic credentials. Applicants will be asked to share, through a written statement or video, what caring for others means to them, reflecting the qualities Jolly demonstrated throughout her life and career.

“There are few professions that require the level of courage and compassion demanded of EMS personnel,” said Jason Hurst, president of 91�첥. “Mary Jolly lived those values every day and ultimately gave her life while helping someone else. The Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship is a fitting tribute to her legacy, creating opportunities for future EMS professionals who share her commitment to serving others and our community.”

CCC Foundation Executive Director Grayson Pierce said the scholarship will have a lasting impact on students and the communities they will serve.

“The 91�첥 Foundation is grateful to the Jolly family for their vision and generosity in creating the Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship,” Pierce said. “This scholarship not only honors Mary Jolly but also invests in future EMS professionals who will continue the important work of caring for and protecting our communities.”

The scholarship will be administered by the 91�첥 Foundation and awarded annually in accordance with Foundation policies and scholarship selection procedures.

About the 91�첥 Foundation

The 91�첥 Foundation supports the mission of 91�첥 by securing and managing resources that enhance educational opportunities, strengthen workforce development, and remove financial barriers for students. Through scholarships, program support, and community partnerships, the Foundation helps students achieve their educational and career goals.

News Releases

Share on

The post CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship appeared first on CCC.

$1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

Paula Vess — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:06:00 +0000

News

$1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

News Releases

July 20, 2026

Paula Vess

Share on

CCC has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support the expansion and renovation of the Bailey Allied Health and Science Center, increasing the college’s capacity to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“This grant is an investment in the students, healthcare providers, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Jason Hurst, President of 91�첥. “Our health sciences programs have experienced strong enrollment growth as demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise. This expansion will allow us to educate and train more students in our existing programs while maintaining the high-quality, hands-on learning experiences that prepare graduates to enter the workforce and make an immediate impact in healthcare settings throughout our region.”

The grant will fund the renovation of approximately 10,000 square feet within the Bailey Center, a three-story facility built in 2009 that houses the college’s health sciences programs, including Nursing, Medical Assisting, Radiography, Surgical Technology, Medical Sonography, and Medical Laboratory Technology.

A key component of the project is the renovation of the two-story space that formerly housed 91�첥’s public access television channel, C19. The station’s relocation to the Jack Hunt Campus Center has made the space available for renovation and expansion, including the addition of a second floor, to provide much-needed workforce training and instructional space.

The Bailey Center currently serves students enrolled in some of the College’s most in-demand healthcare programs. As enrollment in these programs continues to grow, additional instructional and laboratory space is needed to accommodate more students and expand hands-on training opportunities.

The project received strong support from regional healthcare partners, including Atrium Health Cleveland and the Cleveland County Health Department, both of which provided letters of support as part of the grant application. In their letters, the organizations highlighted the need for additional healthcare professionals and the importance of expanding 91�첥’s capacity to prepare these skilled workers.

“Partnerships with healthcare providers and public health agencies are critical to our success,” Hurst said. “Their support underscores the important role 91�첥 plays in developing a skilled healthcare workforce and meeting the growing needs of employers across our region.”

The project aligns with the EDA’s mission to support economic development through strategic investments that strengthen local economies and create pathways to high-demand careers. By expanding training capacity, the renovated facility will help ensure that healthcare employers throughout Cleveland County and surrounding communities have access to a steady pipeline of qualified professionals.

News Releases

Share on

The post $1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training appeared first on CCC.

News Releases Archives - 91�첥

Building America’s Next Energy Workforce

Building America’s Next Energy Workforce

Related Posts

CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship

$1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship

CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship

About the 91�첥 Foundation

Related Posts

Building America’s Next Energy Workforce

$1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

$1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

$1.7 Million Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

Related Posts

Building America’s Next Energy Workforce

CCC Foundation Receives $34,000 Gift to Establish Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship