AT&T Provides $5,000 to Support High School Home Construction Project
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The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) has received a $5,000 AT&T contribution to support its High School Home Construction Project, which was recognized during an event in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, Nov. 26.
The AT&T contribution will support DCEDC’s home construction program, which was launched in 2007 as part of DCEDC’s ongoing commitment to provide real-world learning experiences for students and to help grow the local skilled workforce. Each year, students from all five Door County school districts are invited to participate in the program. Students join forces with the Door County Home Builders Association, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), and DCEDC to build a home that is sold upon completion.
“We are excited to receive this contribution from AT&T to support our High School Home Construction Project,” said Jim Schuessler, DCEDC executive director. “Through this program, our goal is to expose local high school students to the construction industry and help them gain the skills and training they need to be successful members of our local workforce.”
The event took place at a home on North Columbia Avenue in Sturgeon Bay currently under construction as part of the High School Home Construction Project. Breaking ground every September, the project gives Door County students the opportunity to participate in the construction of a new home from the ground up. Students are involved in all aspects of home construction under the direct guidance of Seth Wilson, technical education instructor at Sturgeon Bay High School, and trade professionals.
“AT&T is proud to support the efforts of the Door County Economic Development Corporation to engage local high school students in the home construction industry,” said Scott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “As a company, we are committed to advancing education and preparing Wisconsin’s students to achieve in the workplace.”
The students gain hands-on experience in all of the skills and trades that are part of the residential construction industry. Upon successful completion of the program, each student earns up to 12 transcripted credits for advanced placement in the one-year Wood Technical Diploma program at NWTC.
This year’s home construction project began in September 2018 and is expected to be complete in late May 2019. Once completed, the home will be placed on the open real estate market and sold. Revenue generated from the sale of the home will be used to help pay program expenses, and any excess will go toward future projects.
“The Door County Economic Development Corporation is doing great work to improve our local economy by helping train the next generation of workers,” said State Rep. Joel Kitchens. “Through this program, Door County high school students are gaining the skills and education they need to have successful careers in the home construction industry.”
The Door County Economic Development Corporation is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of the county and its residents. During the past 29 years, DCEDC has been successful in helping existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through a myriad of programs and initiatives. DCEDC also supports entrepreneurs and new businesses through consultation, training programs, and loan assistance.
AT&T has a long-standing commitment to helping advance education. AT&T invests in education and job training to create a skilled and diverse workforce that powers our company – and our country – for the future. Through the AT&T Aspire initiative, AT&T helps provide access to education and training people need to get and keep good jobs. Since 2008, the company has committed $400 million to programs to help millions of students in all 50 states and around the world.