The Huntington County Community Learning Center received a big boost in its current expansion project after being awarded a grant from the 80/20 Foundation Trust for the development of the advanced manufacturing lab. The grant was approved on Dec. 3, 2020, and was awarded on Jan. 1.
According to Tiffanney Drummond, Director of Career and Technical Education and the Learning Center, the grant money received will be used for the purchase of one computer numerical control (CNC) mill, one CNC lathe and six manual lathes. The eight pieces of equipment being purchased come at a total cost of $202,512.20 according to the approved budget for the expansion project.
The 80/20 Foundation Trust strives to develop skilled workers in the manufacturing industry in addition to promoting leadership, sales, innovation and entrepreneurism within the industry. The funding for the 80/20 Foundation Trust comes from the estate of Don Wood, who co-founded the foundation.
Tiffanney Drummond, Director of Career and Technical Education and the Learning Center
“As we continue to plan our new advanced manufacturing lab, the generous donation from the 80/20 Foundation Trust will allow our students to learn on state-of-the-art equipment that will prepare them to meet the needs of today’s workforce. This donation allows us to outfit our new lab with new equipment that we can use for years to come.”
Brian Murray, Huntington North High School Precision Machining Instructor
“Thank you to the 80/20 Foundation for the generous donation to our precision machining program. Their generosity will allow us to continue our high standard of success, as well as raise the bar in regards to the advanced technology we will now be able to provide to our students. With these improvements in our program, we will be able to supply our community with talented manufacturing students for years to come!”
John Wood, 80/20 Foundation Trust Board Chair
“We’re happy to provide this funding to purchase new equipment to modernize the machine shop and support the success of the Huntington County Community School Corporation.”