“Old Fort is a college town,” said McDowell Technical Community College President Dr. J.W. Kelley during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the college’s recently completed Workforce Education Center.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was delayed nearly four months after Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina. Old Fort experienced some of the worst of Helene, destroying homes and businesses throughout the small town and forcing one elementary school to close while repairs are made.

While the building’s opening heralds hope for future generations and families pursuing education, it is also a reminder to the community of their resilience.

“This Workforce Education Center is more than just a building,” said Kim Effler, president and CEO of McDowell County Chamber of Commerce. “It represents opportunity, progress, and resilience. It stands as a testament to the strength and vision of Old Fort.”

The building occupies about 4,000 square feet of Old Fort’s Historic Rockett Building situated on Main Street. Funding for the project was provided by the Golden LEAF Foundation, U.S. Department of Commerce, town of Old Fort, and McDowell Technical Community College.

The purpose of the center is to “increase workforce training opportunities,” focusing on “manufacturing, construction, trail development and other areas with emerging workforce needs,” according to a recent college press release.

Effler said the center will serve as a cornerstone for workforce development, shaping the future of countless individuals and businesses in McDowell County.

There are a number of classes and programs slated to be offered at the new center, including the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certification, Certified Production Technician (CPT 4.0) program, and several third-party certifications like First Aid CPR.

The center will also house trail development and sustainability courses. The region continues to see growth in trail construction, outdoor recreation, and ecotourism.  Nearly 75,000 acres of protected woodlands in the Pisgah National Forest surround Old Fort. Planned trails will generate an estimated $2.5 million annually in tourism and economic development for the region, according to a report generated by the McDowell Tourism Development Authority and Destination by Design.

In addition to the areas listed above, Kelley said the college is considering a number of options for the center’s use, including housing high school equivalency programs and nurse aide classes.

The Workforce Education Center is now fully operational.