The Economic Investment Fund of Henderson County (EIF), an affiliate of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, has been awarded a grant of $15,000 by the Community Foundation of Henderson County. The grant funds will be utilized to support workforce development efforts through the Made in Henderson County program.

“The Community Foundation continues to be a critical partner for our organization. Their ongoing support has allowed Made in Henderson County to greatly expand its program offerings, which ensures we are able to create new, high-quality jobs for our citizens for years to come.”

EIF Chair Chip Gould

Made in Henderson County is a widely recognized workforce development project that began in 2012. It is a collaborative effort between Henderson County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Community College, and private industry to increase the visibility and awareness of local manufacturing careers. Over 7,000 students from Henderson County Public Schools have participated in Made in Henderson County through industry tours, career readiness workshops, and the annual Advanced Manufacturing Job Fair, which is also a resource available to the general public. In 2019, Made in Henderson County introduced its flagship initiative, the Made in Henderson County Apprenticeship. The advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program has garnered local and state recognition and was generously supported through grant funding from the Community Foundation of Henderson County. The second cohort of the Made in Henderson County Apprenticeship launches in 2020.  For more information on Made in Henderson County visit: www.madeinhendersoncounty.com.

In additional to workforce development, EIF also works with interested landowners to identify, study, and preserve property for future industrial employment. Henderson County’s successful economic development efforts over the past decade have depleted the inventory of the county’s quality industrial property. Through due diligence and site development work, EIF can prepare and advance properties to be marketed for future employment and tax base growth. For more information on economic development in Henderson County visit: www.hcped.org.

The Community Foundation of Henderson County, founded in 1983, supports programs in the greater Henderson County area. To learn more about the Community Foundation of Henderson County, Inc, visit www.CFHCforever.org, the Foundation’s Facebook page, or by calling (828) 697-6224.