The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) has been recognized by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (GKVF) for its contributions to community and economic development. GKVF honored MAMC May 21 with the Change Maker Award, bestowed annually to honor organizations that are making positive changes in communities served by the foundation.
“While all of our grantees show dedications and perseverance in the face of our region’s challenges, the organizations we highlight as Change Makers have exceeded our expectations in terms of innovations, resilience and collaborative strategy,” said Jane Powell, GKVF director of communications.
Based in Charleston, GKVF is the largest community foundation in Central Appalachia. Since its inception in 1962, the foundation has awarded more than $210 million to organizations working to strengthen communities across the six-county region of Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln and Putnam counties.
GKVF provides financial support for MAMC’s Bridges to Opportunity, multi-day camps in South Charleston that introduce young people in the region to careers in manufacturing. Participants learn about machining, welding, computer-aided design, 3-D printing and other in-demand manufacturing skill sets.
“MAMC introduces people of all ages to careers in manufacturing and prepares them for in-demand jobs in the sector,” said MAMC Director Derek Scarbro. “The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is a valuable partner in these efforts. They recognize that to build and maintain a strong manufacturing base in West Virginia, we must introduce young people to the trades, get them excited about manufacturing in hopes that will consider good-paying industry careers here at home.”
Other 2024 Change Maker Award winners are the Fayette County Family Resource Network, Multifest, SHIELD Task Force and West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
“GKVF Change Makers represent organizations that positively impact lives in the arts, basic needs, education, health and community economic development,” said Dr. Michelle Foster, GKVF president and CEO. “The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center exemplifies innovation, resilience and collaborative spirit. MAMC is a fine example of the investments we have made in our community with the assistance of our generous donors.”
To learn more about the philanthropic work of the Great Kanawha Valley Foundation, visit its website at www.tgkvf.org.
May 29, 2024
