HENDERSON, NC (May 27, 2026) — Beginning March 1, the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation officially launched its 10-month Building Futures: Empowering Students, Strengthening Communities fundraising plan with a goal of raising $5 million to address a funding deficit and ensure the successful completion of two transformational workforce training facilities for Vance-Granville Community College: the Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology (CAMAT) and the Transportation Training & Technology Center (TTTC).

Since the launch of the campaign, The Foundation has already raised more than $1,051,000 in philanthropic support—demonstrating strong early momentum, donor confidence, and measurable community impact. Building Futures represents a high-impact workforce development initiative, advancing economic mobility and career pathways for students across Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.

Addressing a Critical Funding Need While state funding and grants have supported both facilities, increased construction costs have created a funding shortfall. The Building Futures fundraising plan seeks to raise $5 million in transformational philanthropic investment to ensure both facilities open fully equipped with modern technology and industry- grade training equipment. This investment directly supports student success, workforce readiness, and long-term regional economic growth, while strengthening the talent pipeline for high-demand industries.

Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology The Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology will serve as a state-of-the-art training center designed to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers in welding, mechatronics, electrical systems, and HVAC.

This facility will expand access to quality jobs, industry-recognized credentials, and upward economic mobility, while supporting employers seeking a highly skilled workforce.

Transportation Training & amp; Technology Center The Transportation Training & Technology Center will expand and modernize instruction in CDL-A and B, heavy equipment operations, and diesel and heavy equipment mechanics. This facility addresses critical workforce shortages while providing hands-on, career-connected learning opportunities that lead directly to employment and family-sustaining wages.

Strengthening Regional Workforce and Economic Development Together, these two facilities represent a transformative investment in community impact, workforce innovation, and economic development. By aligning education with industry demand, VGCC is advancing scalable workforce solutions, employer partnerships, and student-centered outcomes that strengthen communities and regional competitiveness.

The Building Futures initiative reflects a commitment to evidence-based impact, measurable outcomes, and expanding opportunity at scale—key priorities for national philanthropic leaders investing in systemic change. Naming Opportunities Available Individuals, families, corporations, and philanthropic organizations are invited to participate in the Building Futures initiative through a variety of major gift and naming opportunities. Donors may choose to name classrooms, labs, and more.

For more information about supporting workforce training, transformational giving opportunities, philanthropic partnerships, or community impact investments, please contact the VGCC Foundation at foundation@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3264 or visit www.vgcc.edu/building-futures.

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Caption for photo “CAMAT_Vision1_Mar2026”: Artist’s rendering of the future VGCC Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology as of spring 2026.

About The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation: The VGCC Foundation (VGCCF) supports the mission of Vance-Granville Community College by providing resources that enhance educational opportunities for students and strengthen the College’s impact in the community. In addition to providing scholarships and emergency assistance to deserving students, VGCCF supports a broad range of special community projects.

Numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches, and College employees have endowed scholarships through The Foundation. Tax-deductible donations to VGCCF have often been used to honor or remember a person, organization, or industry with a lasting gift to education. VGCCF has over 300 endowed scholarships for students—more than any other program of its kind in North Carolina.

In 2026, The Foundation is celebrating 50 years of impacting students’ lives. For more information about The VGCC Foundation, contact 252-738 3264 or foundation@vgcc.edu.

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484

BUTNER, NC — The Granville County Chamber of Commerce is excited to invite the community to Alive After Five: The Next Chapter, an evening of live entertainment, local vendors, classic cars, and family-friendly fun on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Butner Gazebo Park.

This free community event marks the Chamber's return to Butner and promises an exciting summer evening filled with music, food, shopping, and community spirit.

Headlining the event will be The Castaways, bringing their popular beach music sound and high-energy performance to the stage. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of dancing and entertainment in the heart of downtown Butner.

In addition to live music, guests can explore a variety of attractions throughout the evening, including:

• Live performance by The Castaways
• Classic car show featuring local car enthusiasts
• Food trucks offering a variety of dinner and dessert options
• Local vendors, artisans, and community organizations
• Family-friendly atmosphere and community fellowship

" We're excited to bring Alive After Five back to Butner and create an evening where residents and visitors can come together to enjoy great music, local businesses, and community fellowship," said Jennifer Cufalo, Executive Director of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce. "Events like this help showcase what makes Granville County such a special place to live, work, and visit."

The event is proudly presented by Granville Health System and hosted in partnership with the Town of Butner. Admission is free and open to the public.

Event Information:

Alive After Five: The Next Chapter Butner

Thursday, June 25, 2026

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Butner Gazebo Park, Butner, NC

For additional information about the event, vendor opportunities, or sponsorships, contact the Granville County Chamber of Commerce at (919) 693-6125 or visit the Chamber's social media pages.

HENDERSON, NC (June 9, 2026) — A classroom on Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus now memorializes an instructor who taught there for a quarter of a century.

On Tuesday, May 19, past and present quilting students and instructors held a dedication celebration for Grace “Peggy” Stocks, who taught hand-quilting for the College’s Personal Enrichment Department for 25 years (1994-2020).

Those in attendance reminisced about Peggy’s talent and legacy. Leo Kelly, former Dean of Continuing Education at the College, recalled how Peggy became a quilting instructor. Brenda Parker discussed how Peggy used quilt squares to teach her classes. Peggy’s students and family members shared sweet stories of Peggy’s love for quilting, patience in teaching, and genuine care and support for her students. Peggy’s daughter Lee Brinkley talked about how the VGCC quilting classes and her mother’s relationship with her students added to her longevity. All were in agreement that she was family.

Brenda Parker, Robin Sanders, Leo Kelly, Dawn Lemons, and Ruth Hicks took some of the quilting squares Peggy had used for teaching and created two beautiful quilts, which have been hung in the quilting classroom in her honor. Robin said that Peggy is still “teaching” through the quilts that are now on display.

To learn more about upcoming Personal Enrichment programs at Vance-Granville Community College, including quilting classes at the College’s Henderson and Louisburg classes, visit www.vgcc.edu/coned/ped.

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About Vance-Granville Community College: Your community, your college. Since its founding in 1969, Vance-Granville Community College has proudly educated, inspired, and supported a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success. VGCC offers 40+ Curriculum programs, as well as short-term Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs. Located in North Carolina's Triangle region, VGCC serves the counties of Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, and beyond!

For the latest college news, visit www.vgcc.edu or follow Vance-Granville on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484

HENDERSON, NC (June 11, 2026) — Vance-Granville Community College is expanding its capacity to prepare students for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing and the energy sector thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation.

The grant is part of a broader $600,000 Duke Energy Foundation investment to strengthen North Carolina’s energy workforce. Through the effort, 20 community colleges across the state will receive resources to help develop the skilled workforce needed for the state’s continued growth and infrastructure investments.

The colleges will receive $25,000 each to support hands-on training, equipment, scholarships, and curriculum enhancements for programs connected to the energy ecosystem—from electrical systems and linework to welding, HVAC, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. According to College officials, Vance-Granville will use the funding to purchase a piece of equipment that will be used across several programs at its Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology, which is currently under development.

“This funding enables the College to make significant investments in staying aligned with current industry partner standards in mechatronics, electronics, welding, and other advanced manufacturing programs,” noted VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “The funding will also provide foundational equipment necessary to meet new local training needs in computer numerical control machining.”

The Bigger Picture

North Carolina is now home to more than 11 million residents and remains one of the fastest?growing states in the nation. In 2025 alone, companies announced economic development projects generating more than 35,000 jobs and $24 billion in investments—much of it tied to new manufacturing facilities. That growth is driving rising energy demand and reinforcing the need for a well?prepared, locally trained workforce.

“Investing in North Carolina’s community colleges is critical as our industry and state meet this incredible growth moment,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina President. “These programs are proven launchpads into meaningful, in?demand careers—helping build the workforce that will power what’s next and support the infrastructure our customers rely on every day.”

In addition, the Duke Energy Foundation is investing $100,000 in two regional workforce partners to help expand access to high-demand training programs aligned with the energy sector. One of those partners is AdvanceNC, a regional coalition among community colleges, universities, and workforce boards focused on supplying skilled talent for Central North Carolina employers. Vance-Granville Community College has been a member of AdvanceNC since its 2023 inception.

Granville Health System (GHS) today announced its intent to collaborate with East Carolina University’s Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health on integrated outpatient behavioral health care initiatives serving Granville County and the surrounding region.

Behavioral health needs continue to impact individuals and families across rural communities, and access to timely care and support services remains critically important. Through this potential collaboration, GHS aims to continue evolving healthcare services in thoughtful, intentional, and patient-centered ways that help strengthen coordination of care and support patients and families closer to home.

Integrated behavioral health care models like this have become increasingly important across North Carolina and throughout the country, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to mental and behavioral healthcare services can often be challenging. By incorporating behavioral health care into primary care settings, healthcare organizations are able to provide more coordinated, convenient, and timely care in familiar environments while helping support the overall health and well-being of patients and families. For communities like Granville County, collaborative care approaches like this can help strengthen coordination of care, support earlier intervention, and create additional opportunities to serve more patients and families through coordinated care close to home.

The initiative reflects GHS’s continued commitment to thoughtfully adopting best practices and evolving care models increasingly utilized across North Carolina and the broader region to help better serve patients and families.

Granville Health System already works alongside ECU’s Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health within the Emergency Department, where the collaboration has provided meaningful support for patients and care teams during important moments of need. Building upon the success of that existing relationship, GHS is now evaluating opportunities to extend this collaborative model into outpatient primary care environments across the health system.

The proposed collaboration would support behavioral health screenings, assessments, consultations, care coordination, and treatment planning through evidence-based telepsychiatry services.

ECU’s Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health would provide clinical expertise and virtual behavioral health care services, while GHS would coordinate care through its outpatient primary care practices.

“As healthcare delivery continues to evolve, particularly in rural communities like Granville County, organizations are continually looking for thoughtful and patient-centered ways to better support individuals and families,” said Adam McConnell. “Behavioral health is an important part of overall wellness, and collaborative care models like this have the potential to help connect patients with coordinated services in familiar healthcare settings close to home. We have seen the positive impact this approach can have through our work in the Emergency Department, and we are excited about the opportunity to continue building upon those efforts to see the benefits this type of model may provide for our patients and community.”

McConnell added, “Healthcare continues to evolve, and collaborative models like this represent an important opportunity for rural communities to continue advancing integrated, patient-centered care in thoughtful and coordinated ways.”

East Carolina University’s Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health recently provided Granville Health System with a Letter of Intent outlining the proposed collaboration. The potential initiative remains subject to continued planning, operational development, and final agreement terms.

Granville Health System remains committed to identifying innovative and patient-centered approaches that help support high-quality healthcare services throughout the region while continuing to fulfill its mission to promote well-being, accelerate healing, and inspire hope.

About Granville Health System

For over a century, Granville Health System has been at the forefront of quality healthcare. To meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves, Granville Health System has expanded healthcare services throughout Granville County, helping provide convenient access to care for residents across the region. The Granville Health System main campus is located at 1010 College Street in Oxford, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.ghshospital.org.