College Foundation Receives Cannon Grant to Support Mechatronics Facility

The Cannon Foundation recently made a $100,000 grant award to the Western Piedmont Foundation (WPF) to advance Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC)’s Mechatronics Educational Facility expansion project.

The college is expanding and modernizing its engineering and applied technology facility to house its industrial system technology associate in applied science (AAS) degree program and in preparation the college’s new mechatronics engineering technology AAS degree program.  Currently, the college anticipates approval of the mechatronics program by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges by February of 2016.

Pursuit of the mechatronics program and expansion of the facility is designed to address the critical need for mechatronics-trained technicians as expressed by local industry, Burke County Public Schools and economic development authorities.

The Cannon Foundation award supplements the $750,000 grant award the college also received for this project from the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as $443,398 cash match from Burke County.  This grant brings the College closer to its $2 million goal for the project.  The expanded facility will allow WPCC to serve more students, offer more classes and produce more graduates to address local workforce needs.

The Cannon Foundation is an independent foundation established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, President and Chairman of cannon Mills Company for more than 50 years. The Cannon Foundation’s areas of focus include healthcare, higher education, human services and community projects