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 Truist.com.

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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Topics:
Economic Engagement