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COLUMBIA — Wells Fargo & Company recently announced a statewide technical college grant program aimed at awarding $325,000 to several South Carolina technical colleges. Among the colleges was Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw, which received a grant of $2,500.

The investment will focus on supporting programs that promote local workforce development and job creation.

In addition to Northeastern, Wells Fargo has awarded grants to the following technical colleges:

• Trident Technical College, located in Charleston, received a $100,000 grant.

• Midlands Technical College, located in Columbia, received a $75,000 grant.

• Greenville Technical College, located in Greenville, received a $50,000 grant.

• Florence-Darlington Technical College, located in Florence, received a $40,000 grant.

• Horry-Georgetown Technical College, located in Myrtle Beach, received a $27,500 grant.

• Spartanburg Community College, located in Spartanburg, received a $15,000 grant.

• Piedmont Technical College, located in Greenwood, received a $5,000 grant.

• Tri-County Technical College, located in Pendleton, received a $5,000 grant.

• Central Carolina Technical College, located in Sumter, received a $5,000 grant.

“South Carolina’s economy continues to recover from the lingering effects of the past recession,” said Rick Redden, South Carolina President for Wells Fargo. “We believe workforce development and job creation are key to accelerating economic growth. We are proud to make a significant investment in our state’s technical colleges. They play a critical role in driving workforce development by developing a talent pool of skilled labor for new and existing companies.”

With 65 percent of future jobs requiring more than a high school diploma and less than a four-year degree, the SC Technical College System is educating and training South Carolina’s future workforce, Redden said. With each student, the technical colleges of South Carolina are contributing significantly to the foundation of the state’s economy.

Unfortunately, a lack of increased state resources has placed an enormous strain on the system’s ability to meet its mission, especially with enrollment increases across the system averaging 26 percent beginning of this economic crisis.

“South Carolinians rely now more than ever on the SC Technical College System to learn new skills and enhance their overall employability,” said Darrel Staat, president of the SC Technical College System.

“A technical college education offers students the lowest tuition cost available and the greatest flexibility. The tremendous generosity of Wells Fargo with this grant will assist the colleges in providing our students with an even better opportunity for success,” Staat said.