Wiregrass Tech, Lowe's Foundation, and GDC Partner to Boost Georgia's Construction Workforce

Mobile construction lab and training programs aim to equip incarcerated individuals with skills for successful reentry

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) celebrated a $1 million Lowe's Gable Grant that funded a state-of-the-art mobile construction lab to expand hands-on training programs. The lab has supported initiatives like a construction class for incarcerated individuals at the Valdosta Transition Center, as well as programs for high school students and unemployed adults across Georgia.

Why it matters

The partnership between WGTC, the Lowe's Foundation, and the Georgia Department of Corrections aims to address workforce shortages in Georgia's construction industry by providing training and skills development opportunities, particularly for underserved populations like incarcerated individuals. The mobile lab allows the college to bring construction education to communities across the state.

The details

The mobile construction lab purchased with the Lowe's Gable Grant has supported a range of initiatives, including a four-week construction class for incarcerated individuals at the Valdosta Transition Center, a one-week summer construction camp in Douglas, credit instruction at Atkinson County High School, and mobile construction training with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Participants received hands-on training in areas like framing, carpentry, roofing, painting, and flooring, and even constructed a small replica of a Lowe's storefront.

  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on February 3, 2026.
  • The three-week mobile construction class for incarcerated individuals at the Valdosta Transition Center concluded at the time of the ribbon-cutting.

The players

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC)

A technical college in Georgia that received a $1 million Lowe's Gable Grant to purchase a mobile construction lab and expand hands-on training programs.

Lowe's Foundation

The charitable arm of the Lowe's home improvement company, which provided the $1 million Gable Grant to WGTC.

Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

A state agency that partnered with WGTC and the Lowe's Foundation to offer construction training programs for incarcerated individuals.

DeAnnia Clements

President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

Kyle Guenther

Merchandising Vice President of the Lowe's Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“This generous investment through the Lowe's Gable Grant has benefited every facet of the college. The mobile lab has allowed us to expand credit-bearing construction programs for high school students, grow our mobile construction training for incarcerated individuals, and provide workforce training opportunities for youth and unemployed adults across our service area. We are deeply grateful to our partners at the Lowe's Foundation and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Together, we are strengthening construction training statewide and helping grow Georgia's economy.”

— Michael Williams, Executive Vice President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (douglasnow.com)

“This program is designed to equip participants with skills that support successful reentry into the workforce upon release, particularly in high-demand construction-related industries.”

— Dr. Jodi Ford, Director of Career, Technical, and Higher Education with the Georgia Department of Corrections (douglasnow.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This partnership between Wiregrass Tech, the Lowe's Foundation, and the Georgia Department of Corrections demonstrates how targeted workforce development initiatives, particularly those focused on underserved populations, can help address labor shortages in high-demand industries like construction and support economic growth across the state.