$1.2 million federal grant and Futures Factory project advance WCU鈥檚 regional impact
蘑菇短视频 has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to support infrastructure improvements at the WCU-Cullowhee Dam, a project aimed at providing resiliency for critical public water systems and strengthening the region's outdoor recreational economy.
The funding was announced July 27 as part of more than $34 million in disaster recovery investments across North Carolina through the EDA's FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program. The program supports long-term economic recovery and resilience in communities affected by natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene.
The 蘑菇短视频award will fund infrastructure improvements at the Cullowhee Dam. The Dam serves as the singular impoundment point for both the 蘑菇短视频and Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority鈥檚 public water systems, which provides water to central Jackson County and the towns of Cullowhee, Webster, Sylva, and Dillsboro. Additionally, the dam鈥檚 location is viewed as a gateway to recreational opportunities along the Tuckasegee River, and as a catalyst for expanding the outdoor recreation opportunities that are a key driver of Western North Carolina's economic vitality.
"This project presents a two-fold benefit to 蘑菇短视频and our surrounding communities by strengthening and protecting our vital public water systems and enhancing opportunities for residents and visitors to be able to fully enjoy the incredible natural resource that is the Tuckasegee River. Projects like this help strengthen the infrastructure that supports economic development in our region," said 蘑菇短视频Chancellor Kelli R. Brown. "Moreover, they demonstrate WCU鈥檚 commitment as a community and economic partner while attracting visitors and enhancing the experience of our students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities."
The award was among several announced by federal officials during an event in Asheville highlighting recovery and economic development initiatives across Western North Carolina, including $29.2 million for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to build the WNC Futures Factory project.
鈥溎⒐蕉淌悠礳ongratulates our partners at AB Tech, Buncombe County, the Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition, and Biltmore Farms for this transformational opportunity that is the WNC Futures Factory,鈥� Brown said. 鈥溎⒐蕉淌悠� has been proud to be a highly involved partner since the inception of the Futures Factory concept, and through multiple iterations of this innovation center project. We believe strongly that the Futures Factory will be a catalyst for current and future advanced manufacturing, research and development, and digital innovation for industry partners across the Southeast.鈥�
The WNC Futures Factory project is a new 70,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing training and innovation center near the Pratt & Whitney plant in Buncombe County. The facility will help build a skilled workforce pipeline for Western North Carolina, connecting students and workers with higher-paying manufacturing careers while supporting business growth through research, development, and workforce training opportunities.
鈥溎⒐蕉淌悠祍tands ready to engage with our expertise and robust programming in engineering and STEM related disciplines, as well as through our Rapid Center with proficiency in product realization,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭his is an incredible opportunity for WCU鈥檚 applied learning and research to assist in building economic prosperity for WNC and beyond. We are grateful for the investments being made to bring this project to fruition.鈥�