Longleaf Pine REALTORS® (LPR) and the Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) Foundation gathered at the Carolyn & George Armstrong Building Trades Center on Friday, Aug. 21 to celebrate a new partnership with a joint check presentation event to mark a $500,000 donation supporting workforce development. 

The event brought together representatives from LPR and FTCC to formally recognize the gift and share how the investment will support educational opportunity, workforce growth and long-term community benefit. The funding will be going to workforce initiatives designed to develop a skilled trades talent pipeline to serve the housing industry and the broader community.

“Today, we're recognizing a $500,000 donation by the Longleaf Pine REALTORS Association, really investing in the students and in the program so that we can grow and provide more talent for our construction trades and realtors and our development businesses in the area,” shared FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells. “This is much more than a donation, it's a statement of confidence, and it's a belief in our people. It's a commitment to create opportunities that are going to change lives for generations to come.” 

The event allowed local realtors to explore the new Carolyn & George Armstrong Building Trades Center which opened on May 1. The new facility is designed as a first-year learning environment, where students gain foundational, hands-on skills in plumbing, construction, HVAC and more. To further honor the new partnership, the student lounge area has been renamed in honor of the Longleaf Pine REALTORS Association. 

“The Carolyn & George Armstrong Building Trade Center stands as a symbol of that vision. It represents the belief that skilled trades matter, that workforce education matters, that every student deserves an opportunity to develop the talents and abilities that lead them to meaningful employment,” continued Sorrells. 

The donation reflects LPR’s commitment to professionalism, service and community impact. LPR supports the real estate profession through education, advocacy, professional standards, communications and community engagement, and this investment aligns with that broader mission-centered approach.

“Longleaf Pines REALTORS is very proud to invest $500,000 to the FTCC Foundation. We are going to be supporting students that are pursuing careers in skilled trades,” shared LPR President Candi Quigley. “Of that investment, $150,000 is going to be put into our endowment that we already have with FTCC, and the other $350,000 is going to help those students that are entering into the skilled trades to bring housing-related industries to our community. As realtors, every day, every one of us are working [with] or looking for a plumber, an electrician, someone who's in construction. All of those trades that affect the housing industry. We know how important these trades are-not just to our industry, but to our community.” 

The generous investment by LPR will support all trades programs at the College, expanding enrollment and training capabilities while complementing the FTCC Carolyn and George Armstrong Building Trades Center.