The Maricopa County Community College District and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation have received $1 million to support construction trades programs at three campuses.

The money from the national Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants nationwide will go to the program at Mesa Community College, South Mountain Community College and Rio Salado College.

“Maricopa Community Colleges have a rich history of training skilled workers, many of whom join our local workforce and contribute to the region’s growing economy,” MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales said. “Thanks to generous support from the Lowe’s Foundation, we have an opportunity to enhance our existing program offerings and provide our students with the highest caliber education, resources and facilities to ensure they are job-ready.”

Janice Dupré, Lowe's executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation, said enrollments are rising at “vocationally focused schools.

“These community colleges are blossoming arenas for entrepreneurship and economic mobility,” she said. “Each college has a clear, inspired vision for closing the trades gap in its community, and we’re pleased to welcome them to our larger movement.”

Funding allocation details:

• MCC will receive $483,705.88 in grant funding to hire a part-time lab technician, expand facilities to include an outdoor training space, purchase construction materials and equipment and optimize outreach efforts through various marketing initiatives.
• SMCC will receive $350,280.06 in grant funding to hire additional staff, including a part-time faculty member and part-time lab technician, purchase specialized carpentry, electrical and plumbing materials and expand marketing and recruitment outreach efforts through events and promotional materials.
• RSC will receive $45,176.00 in grant funding to upgrade infrastructure and lab training space, deliver OSHA training to three instructors and provide OSHA certifications for an estimated 400 students at the college’s Incarcerated Re-Entry Program at the Perryville and Lewis prison complexes.

MCCF will also use funds to provide students with stipends to help cover their cost of attendance.