CHRISTIANSBURG — The New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) is dedicated to their Workforce Development and community outreach endeavors and is pleased to announce the first round of funding for their new Microgrant program which was funded by the proceeds from the annual community Touch-a-Truck NRV event.
In its inaugural round, the NRVHBA awarded three educators in the local community with funding for special projects that align with the workforce development interests of both the home building and construction industry. The NRVHBA hopes that this program will provide the opportunity for teachers to enhance their curriculum, maximize opportunities for their students, and encourage interest in construction trades careers.
Grant recipients were required to propose how their project helps to either raise awareness of careers in the construction trades or give students practical experience in a trade that they can use outside of the classroom. The grant recipients are:
Marc Eaton with Eastern Montgomery High School – EMHS currently has a thriving Career and Technical Education program and by receiving funding from the NRVHBA Microgrant Program they will be pouring a concrete patio for future outdoor classroom space where their students will be protected from the elements.
Veronica Spradlin with Blacksburg High School – With the NRVHBA Microgrant Program, the current Drone Competition Team will be applying the funds to the purchase of a new drone package. Not only do the students utilize multiple aspects of the construction process when building the drone competition course, drone technology is utilized through site surveys, property management, equipment management, and project marketing programs.
Rupert Cox with Blacksburg Middle School – Mr. Cox’s animal husbandry class will build multiple animal cages for indoor use and create outside containment for the animals. The class will be learning basic carpentry and framing skills and will be improving the life of their class animals.
The NRVHBA is excited to see what the microgrant recipients will complete during their school semester and look forward to providing updates regarding their projects.
The Spring 2024 funding cycle and application opens Dec. 1, 2023. Teachers and CTE Directors from the following districts are eligible to apply: Montgomery County, Giles County, Pulaski County, Floyd County, City of Radford, Wythe County, and Carroll County. For more information, visit https://www.nrvhba.com/microgrant-program/.
The New River Valley Home Builders Association
