BridgeValley College Leads Energy-Saving Initiative with DOE Funding, Boosting Local Manufacturing and Job Opportunities

BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, and West Virginia University have received a collaborative agreement from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This is part of a larger DOE initiative, which has selected 17 new Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) and 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) to receive a total of $40.8 million under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The goal is to increase training for quality jobs and find ways to save energy, boost productivity, and minimize waste.

BridgeValley Community and Technical College will spearhead the West Virginia Industrial Assessment Centers at Community and Technical Colleges (WV IACs@CTCs) project. This project aims to assist manufacturing companies and supply chain networks across West Virginia, in collaboration with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and West Virginia University.

The IACs@CTCs project will focus on three strategies. First, it will work on improving manufacturing degree and certificate programs at the two colleges, with an emphasis on supporting low-income and first-generation college students. Second, the colleges will collaborate with manufacturing employers to integrate smart and sustainable manufacturing processes into their programs. Finally, the colleges will increase their ability to conduct free energy assessments for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), aiding them in energy conservation, waste reduction, and productivity enhancement.

BridgeValley President Casey Sacks stated that the IAC funding offers a great opportunity for West Virginia to bolster its manufacturing sector, promote clean energy, and create job opportunities. The project also aims to tackle issues like low educational attainment, generational poverty, and the opioid crisis in West Virginia by offering support services and training to vulnerable groups.

The IACs@CTCs project is anticipated to have a significant impact on West Virginia’s manufacturing sector, preparing a skilled workforce for the clean energy economy. The collaboration between BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, and West Virginia University highlights the importance of partnerships in promoting education, industry, and sustainability.

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