Grow Wabash County Foundation receives Duke Energy Foundation Grant

The Grow Wabash County Foundation, a 501 c(3) entity of Grow Wabash County, has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to advance manufacturing workforce development across Wabash County. 

The investment will support: 

"Manufacturing remains the backbone of Wabash County’s economy, and the skills needed to succeed in the industry are changing rapidly," said Tenille Zartman, President & CEO of Grow Wabash County. "The Future-Ready Manufacturing Workforce in Wabash County project will enable us to tackle that. This investment from the Duke Energy Foundation will help us strengthen the entire manufacturing talent pipeline, from exposing students to career opportunities and advanced manufacturing technologies to supporting incumbent workers as they earn certifications and develop new technical skills. By aligning education, training, and employer needs, we are helping ensure local manufacturers have access to the workforce they need to grow and compete.”  

"This Duke Energy Foundation grant is an important investment in the future workforce of  

Wabash County," said Kelly Stouffer, Vice President of Human Resources, Ford Meter Box. "Manufacturers depend on the pipeline of employees who are equipped with both technical and problem-solving skills to succeed in today's advanced manufacturing environment. We are excited to partner with Grow Wabash County and engage in the programs made possible through this funding to help develop talent, support continuous learning, and prepare the next generation of manufacturing and technology leaders."  

As manufacturing technologies continue to evolve, Grow Wabash County remains committed to working alongside employers, educational partners, and workforce organizations to develop a pipeline of skilled talent that supports business growth, innovation, and economic prosperity "Vibrant communities like Wabash County start with plentiful job opportunities and strong employers,” said Jenny Jordan, Government and Community Relations Manager, Duke Energy. “We’re glad to be able to support the businesses and communities in our service territory with targeted funding like this that goes a long way toward ensuring Indiana continues to thrive.”