USC Columbia Technology Incubator receives $200,000 scholarship grant from Truist
Posted on: October 25, 2021; Updated on: October 25, 2021
By Chase Bussell, busselld@email.sc.edu
The USC Columbia Technology Incubator announced Monday (Oct. 25) a $200,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation through the Truist Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund at The Winston-Salem Foundation, to provide funding for scholarships and training programs that will support the future information technology (IT) workforce in South Carolina.
The USC Columbia Technology Incubator’s mission is to help innovative individuals and businesses grow through education, mentoring, and an established sense of community in the incubation facility in downtown Columbia, which serves entrepreneurs in the Midlands of South Carolina.
“We are grateful for Truist’s generous contribution and commitment to supporting workforce development in South Carolina,” said USC Columbia Technology Incubator Executive Director Chad Hardaway. “This grant will play a key role in bolstering the state’s employee workforce by providing more South Carolinians the opportunity to further their education and ultimately become qualified to fill the in-demand jobs throughout the state.”
“The Board and I are proud of the USC Columbia Technology Incubator’s record of always stepping in to serve the most pressing needs of our region,” said USC Columbia Technology Incubator Board Chairman Bill Kirkland. “Thank you to our friends at Truist for their generous support. This grant advances the Incubator’s leadership role in developing a higher-skilled workforce of the future as well as continuing to serve the entrepreneurial community.”
This grant provides opportunities for career advancement and has a ripple effect – it helps individuals expand their skillsets, provides stability for families, and enriches communities.
Mike Brenan, S.C. Regional President for Truist
The USC Columbia Technology Incubator will promote the availability of Future Workforce Scholarships for those interested in entering or advancing in IT or other related career paths. These grants will provide necessary reskilling or upskilling for people affected by shifts in employment due to COVID-19 or other economic circumstances. The current annual goal is to distribute 300 scholarships of $500 that will lead to a training certification or credential for South Carolina residents, with a particular focus on minority applicants. The USC Columbia Technology Incubator will use this funding to complement or add to existing scholarship programs through the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, the South Carolina Technical College System and other community partners.
“This grant provides opportunities for career advancement and has a ripple effect – it helps individuals expand their skillsets, provides stability for families, and enriches communities,” said Mike Brenan, South Carolina regional president for Truist. “At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we’re proud to support the USC Columbia Technology Incubator and the opportunities it will help create for South Carolinians throughout the Midlands.”
About USC Columbia Technology Incubator
The USC Columbia Technology Incubator is a nonprofit corporation sponsored by the University of South Carolina, City of Columbia, Lexington County, Richland County, and other community partners. The Incubator prides itself with providing members access to our facilities and services, seminars, workshops, networking events, advice from our network of mentors and expert consultants, and the opportunity to connect with peers. Through our programming and leadership, the Incubator helps businesses set goals, monitor their progress, connect with valuable resources, share stories of their lasting impact on South Carolina, and support the founders throughout every step of their business journey. Since 1998, the Incubator has been a driving force for economic and workforce development in the Midlands of South Carolina and beyond.
To learn more, visit usccolainc.org.
About Truist Charitable Fund
The Truist Charitable Fund is a donor-advised fund created by Truist and administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation.
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Formed by the historic merger of equals of BB&T and SunTrust, Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.
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