The Home Builders Institute (HBI) in partnership with the Fioretti Family Charitable Fund announced the grand opening of the BuildStrong Academy of Charlotte, a new training facility in the Charlotte region to help address the labor shortage in the residential construction industry.  In Charlotte, the skilled construction labor shortage has reached critical levels, posing significant challenges for the local economy and infrastructure development. As the demand for construction projects continues to rise, the shortage of skilled workers has led to delays, increased costs, and hindered growth opportunities. In response to this pressing need, the establishment of this free training facility will provide accessible training opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the construction industry, equipping them with the necessary skills and certifications to meet the demand for skilled workers. The program allows participants to learn the skills needed for entry-level roles in 9-weeks at no cost to them. The training results in an industry- recognized certificate in carpentry and electrical. The first four weeks of the training provide basic construction knowledge such as reading a tape measure, using hand and power tools, and safe work practices including an OSHA 10-hour certificate. The remaining five weeks are trade- specific training. Each student completes the program with an OSHA-10 safety certification and is ready to be placed into a job when they graduate. Ed Brady, HBI President and CEO, shared that "Older workers are retiring and not being replaced because the U.S. has not produced an adequate supply of construction labor for several generations. HBI is committed to training the next generation of skilled workers and ensuring the supply of construction labor." The BuildStrong Academy would not be possible without the generosity of co-sponsor and lead funder, The Fioretti Family Charitable Fund. "After several years of dedicated effort, the opening of the Charlotte academy is finally here. Our family is excited for this opportunity to serve the working community and construction industry in Charlotte," said Peter Fioretti. "My brothers and I also believe this will be integral progress to do more for underprivileged young adults wanting education alternatives and living-wage jobs. This program is designed to be scalable and sustainable to serve many families in Charlotte." Other contributors to the program include The Home Depot Foundation, Truist Foundation, and DEWALT. "The Home Depot Foundation has been proud to partner with HBI to make trades training and pathways to lucrative careers in the trades a reality for more people," said Erin Izen, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation. "With more than 400,000 construction jobs open – and growing – the new Academy in Charlotte will further our joint mission to shrink the skilled labor gap and ensure a strong pipeline of qualified construction professionals for years to come." "DEWALT has been 'for the trades' since 1924 and is deeply committed to the needs of our pro users," said Jeff Doehne, Stanley Black & Decker's President & General Manager of The Home Depot. "Through conversations with customers and our own internal research, we know the lack of skilled labor is a significant barrier to the success of the industry. We are proud to support HBI's newest BuildStrong Academy and several others across the county to cultivate a resilient next-generation workforce." "Aligned with our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, Truist is proud to support HBI's BuildStrong Academy of Charlotte," shared Erica Acie, head of retail originations. Since its inception, Truist has empowered workforce development through a variety of initiatives and partnerships that provide education-to-career pathways to diverse communities across the bank's footprint. "HBI's BuildStrong Academy demonstrates Truist's commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable workforce by upskilling future generations and connecting organizations with highly qualified candidates." To learn more about HBI's BuildStrong Academies, visit hbi.org.  About The Fioretti Family Charitable Fund:  The Fioretti Family Charitable Fund leverages our entrepreneurial vision, relationships, and capital, to make a massive impact on underprivileged children and young families. We promote education, living-wage jobs, affordable housing, and entrepreneurship. We also supercharge the success of emerging real estate & entrepreneurial students.    About The Home Depot Foundation  The Home Depot Foundation, the nonprofit arm of The Home Depot, works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, support communities impacted by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $500 million in veteran causes and improved more than 60,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program.  About DEWALT  DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, celebrates 100 years in business by continuing to provide our customers with total jobsite and outdoor solutions. By applying its latest technology to the challenges of today's skilled trades, DEWALT is leading the charge for the jobsite of the future and is pioneering the next generation of tools, outdoor equipment and forward-looking technologies. DEWALT products. GUARANTEED TOUGH®. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn  About Truist Foundation  Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation's leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.  About HBI   HBI trains skilled workers for the building industry. It is the nation's leading nonprofit provider of trade skills training in residential construction. Through the organization's industry-recognized curriculum, HBI trains in a variety of skills including, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, building construction technology, HVAC, and masonry. In programs across the country, HBI provides pre-apprenticeship training and certification programs in middle and high schools; community colleges, technical institutes and training academies for middle and highs school students, veterans and transitioning military, unemployed and displaced workers; and low-income, at-risk and justice-involved youth and adults.  The goals for all HBI programs, regardless of the population, is to train, credential and place students in industry-related employment or post-secondary education. These metrics, however, fall within the overarching goal we have for all those we serve – to provide individuals an opportunity to take control of their lives and become productive, self-sufficient citizens.

Mixed-use developer Third & Urban announced today several retail and office leasing updates across three buildings at Lower Tuck, a mid-century warehouse district turned creative office and retail campus in West Charlotte's FreeMoreWest neighborhood. The project has signed four new office leases and continues to add spec suites across the portfolio. Additionally, local favorite Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream will open a pop-up shop in front of Not Just Coffee in May and Maíz Agua Sal (MAS), a modern Mexican scratch kitchen, tortilleria and agave bar, has officially begun service. Barry Fabyan, Co-Managing Director at Stream Realty, which handles office leasing for Lower Tuck, said, “Charlotte’s West Side is hopping; the heavy lifting of establishing this area as a competitive office and retail market has been done, and we are now seeing the fruits of those efforts with the leasing momentum at Lower Tuck.”  The office spec suite program has proven effective for Lower Tuck with companies attracted to the modern, turnkey workspaces delivered inside the adaptive reuse settings. The project is pushing forward on six new spec suites spanning 33,000 square feet. The additions will be complete in June and bring Lower Tuck’s spec suites program up to 20 total. Two of the new spec suites have already been leased, which joins two additional spec suite leases signed in the first quarter. The new tenants are as follows:  Evans General Contractors taking a 6,500-square-foot space at 800 Gesco Street  Design Collaborative, an architecture, engineering and interior design firm, is expanding within the project into a 4,700-square-foot suite at 800 Gesco Street  Stimmel Associates, a landscape architecture, engineering, land planning and design firm, has leased 3,900 square feet at 1018 Jay Street  Liberty Atlantic Development Group is a full-service commercial real estate company with a focus on rental housing and economic development in North Carolina and will occupy a 2,000-square-foot spec suite at 1018 Jay Street  This month, global manufacturing company Positec took occupancy of another 9,000-square-foot spec suite as part of its expansion at 929 Jay Street from 27,000 to 35,500 square feet.  “When we entered the Charlotte market in 2022, the move-in ready suite was a perfect option,” noted Kevin Scully, Partner and Senior Architect at Design Collaborative. “Lower Tuck has been great for culture and attracting talent. We have exceeded our growth projections and are delighted that we could relocate to a new larger suite so quickly within the project.”    This spring, Seemingly Overzealous will join Lower Tuck in a repurposed camper located in front of Not Just Coffee. The beloved local ice cream brand is owned and operated by partners Garrett Tichy and Jess Berresse, and opened its first location at Camp North End in May 2023. All of its flavors are dairy-free and handmade, with the entire menu designed to accommodate those with food allergies. The ice cream camper will be open on weekends and special occasions by May 1. Maíz Agua Sal (MAS), a modern Mexican scratch kitchen, tortilleria and agave bar from ARDR Hospitality Group (Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails, The Green Room and Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop) is now open at 1018 Jay Street.  About Lower Tuck:  Lower Tuck is a district of mid-century warehouses remixed into a creative office and retail campus. The nearly 400,000-square-foot adaptive reuse community spans eight buildings on Jay Street, Gesco Street and Tuckaseegee Road. The project is being developed in three phases; the first phase, which encompasses 929, 1026 and 1018 Jay Street, has been completed and stabilized. The second phase – 800 and 845 Gesco – is under construction now. Third & Urban is the project developer. To learn more visit lowertuck.com.   About Third & Urban:  Third & Urban is a Developer Building Community – modern, culture-rich adaptive reuse and urban infill that anchors people not just city blocks; that retains context, history and experience, not just tenants; and that creates culture and connection, not just ROI. The Atlanta-based company is focused in the southeastern U.S., engaging in a deliberate value creation process to produce truly unique destinations and best-in-class results for office, retail and residential uses. The firm seeks opportunities in markets that exhibit a high quality of life, a strong workforce and consistent job growth. With a current portfolio of more than 1.2 million square feet across the Southeast, Third & Urban has developed more than $500 million in institutional grade urban projects. In addition to Lower Tuck, the developer is recognized locally for its work on The Pass, a forthcoming mixed-use district in the NoDa arts district. For more information, please visit www.thirdandurban.com.