The Cannon Foundation, Inc. and the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust No. One have awarded Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation $200,000 to purchase equipment, furnishings and supplies for the new FTCC Building Trades Center.

This facility will be located in a former car dealership on Bragg Boulevard. The building is 22,264 square feet and is adjacent to the Fayetteville Campus of FTCC. The renovation will transition this facility from its former purpose as a car dealership to an instructional facility with classrooms, lab spaces, faculty offices and new restrooms.

“On behalf of Fayetteville Technical Community College, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Cannon Charitable Interests for this transformative gift that will allow us to expand our Plumbing and Carpentry programs and train more students with the skills and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in the industry,” said President of FTCC Dr. Mark Sorrells in a press release. “Their support is not just an investment in our students’ futures; it’s an investment in the growth and strength of our community. We are excited to partner with them in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.”

The completion of the Building Trades Center will allow FTCC to double the enrollment of the Plumbing and Carpentry programs by providing the space to increase class sizes and add additional course sections, including sections targeting high school juniors and seniors through the High School Connections dual enrollment program. This state-of-the-art facility will help meet the needs of the construction industry. The project is expected to be complete this summer.

Both the Plumbing and Carpentry programs at FTCC have high retention and job placement rates. The job placement rate is currently 80+%, which does not include those who open their own business.

The Cannon Foundation was established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, President and CEO of Cannon Mills Company. The Cannon Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding capital and equipment projects for organizations across Mr. Cannon’s home state of North Carolina. The Foundation supports private colleges, community colleges serving Tier 1 or 2 counties and small public colleges across North Carolina.