HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) Foundation is pleased to announce it has received a grant from Duke Energy to support CVCC’s exploration of expanding the college’s footprint in the Sherrills Ford community of Catawba County. This funding marks an important step in assessing the feasibility and community impact of a proposed Sherrills Ford Distance Campus, an initiative designed to strengthen access to higher education, workforce training, and community-based learning opportunities.

The Duke Energy grant will support the planning phase of the project, providing resources to produce key foundational documents needed to guide potential future development. This includes a site plan, pre-design documents, architectural concepts, space utilization plans, and cost estimates. Together, these materials will help CVCC align the proposed campus with local workforce needs, industry partnerships, and long-term educational goals for the region.

“Exploring the possibility of a Sherrills Ford Distance Campus represents an exciting opportunity to expand access to high-quality education and workforce training for individuals and families in southeastern Catawba County,” said CVCC President, Dr. Garrett Hinshaw. “We are grateful for Duke Energy’s support in helping us take the first steps toward this important vision.”

“The Sherrills Ford area of Catawba County continues to grow with the recognition of the benefits Catawba County can offer” said Robin Nicholson, Duke Energy District Manager, Government and Community Relations for Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Lincoln, and McDowell counties. “With the long-standing presence of Duke Energy in this area, we also recognize the importance of being a part of this growth and to help create and continue strong and productive relationships. The addition of CVCC in the region will strengthen this relationship and make workforce development a priority.”

CVCC will share updates as the planning process advances and as the college continues engaging local leaders, employers, and community members to identify programs and services that best support the Sherrills Ford area.

“The CVCC Foundation is honored to receive this generous support from Duke Energy” shares Jennifer Jones, CVCC Chief Development Officer and Foundation Executive Director. “This funding allows the Foundation to support the college’s leadership as they take meaningful steps toward understanding the educational, workforce, and community needs in the Sherrills Ford area and evaluate how CVCC can support those needs. Duke Energy’s investment reflects a shared belief in the power of strategic, community-driven planning, and we are grateful for their leadership in helping us build opportunities that will benefit students, employers, and families across southeastern Catawba County.”