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Seattle Wood Tech Center receives $750K grant to support construction

September 18, 2023

The Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants Program provided Seattle Central College’s Wood Technology Center with a $750K grant on Sept. 18. The grant provides the center with a vital boost after BIAW members feared it might close due to lack of funding.

Lowe’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations, Denise Hill, Ph.d, APR, traveled to Seattle to present the check.

“We reviewed hundreds of applications and we were very impressed with what you are doing here,” Hill said. “That’s why you’re one of our very first Gable Grant recipients.”

Lowe’s grant part of national effort

In March, Lowe’s announced a $50M commitment to prepare 50,000 new skilled tradespeople in the next five years. The Wood Tech Center grant is part of this effort.

“With the skilled trades industry facing a labor crisis, the Lowe’s Foundation is now poised to help train tens of thousands of qualified skilled tradespeople, giving each of them the opportunity to build a rewarding career and make lasting impacts in communities across the country,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation in a news release earlier this year. “We are bringing our network, our expertise and our resources to address this critical need and help ensure that the next generation of builders has the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of our modern world.”

BIAW members provide longstanding supportGroup of people at press conference

BIAW’s Workforce Development Task Force Chair and Chair of the Seattle Wood Tech Center’s Technical Advisory Committee Courtenay Gebhart of Blue Sound Construction worked diligently with the college and local legislators to garner support for the program.

Certified Builder Amy Ecklund of AmyWorks serves on the Technical Advisory Committee as well, providing vital input and support for the program as well.

The two joined the celebration on Sept. 18 at the Wood Tech Center along with:

  • Rep. Frank Chopp
  • Seattle Deputy Mayor Greg Wong
  • Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, Chancellor, Seattle Colleges
  • Rob Watt, Associate Dean, Wood Technology Center.

Learn more about BIAW’s workforce development efforts and make a difference by contributing to the Washington Home Builders Foundation. 

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