Columbus County Home Builders Association donates $100,000 to Southeastern Community College

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Home Builders Association has donated $100,000 to Southeastern Community College to support the school’s technical education programs.

The donation was presented during a ceremony July 7 in the college’s construction classroom.

According to the college, the funding will be divided among several technical programs, including Building Construction Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Welding Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.

College officials said the money will be used for classroom and lab improvements, including new building materials, equipment, safety equipment and other instructional resources.

Columbus County Home Builders Association President Bill Worley said the organization hopes the contribution will help strengthen technical education and prepare students for careers in the skilled trades.

“I’ve always enjoyed the construction business, and I’ve been in it since 1972,” Worley said in a news release. “If this donation can help a student turn on that light, build a business, hire a few guys and be successful, you know, it’s worth it.”

Southeastern Community College President Dr. Chris English said the donation will help the college continue training students for careers in the trades.

“From the bottom of my heart and our Board of Trustees, I want to say thank you to the Columbus County Home Builders Association,” English said in the release.

The home builders association has also awarded scholarships to graduating seniors at high schools across Columbus County during the past five years.

College officials said the donation will support ongoing workforce development efforts and help maintain industry-standard training facilities for students entering technical fields.