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Now nationally recognized as an All-America County, Davie County provides impactful programs and opportunities for its young people.

Those programs helped bring home this honor.

Ignite Davie, A College Promise, is one of those programs and offers two years of college at Davidson Davie Community College at no cost to all Davie students.

Since its launch with the Class of 2020, Ignite Davie has supported 239 students.

Adapting to local workforce demands, the course offerings are expanding this fall with four short-term training programs: Electrical, HVAC, Nursing Assistant, and Phlebotomy. These programs fast-track workers into the local workforce.

To make Ignite Davie sustainable, the Davie Community Foundation is helping to raise the final $1 million of the $3 million endowment goal. Once achieved, the endowment will provide annual earnings to cover program costs indefinitely.

Members of the foundation board and board members of the Davie Chamber of Commerce are rallying to reach out to businesses and industries to invite these companies to be a part of the success of Ignite Davie. This team will explain the portfolio of partner benefits the companies will receive when they invest their marketing dollars to become an Employer of Choice.

All employers are encouraged to participate. Investment levels were created to fit every size budget, from $2,500 up to $20,000 over a two-year period. Partner companies will have marketing benefits while helping to fill the workforce pipeline for their own future.

Employers can visit IgniteDavie.com and see where the Employers of Choice will be featured at the top of the web page. Communities and organizations that have contributed are currently featured there. Business and industry representatives can also contact Carolyn McManamy, managing partner, at 336-753-6670.

Most of the $2 million raised came from donations by individuals and families.

To add personal support, visit DavieFoundation.org/donate and select Ignite Davie from the dropdown list.