OMAHA, Neb., August 21, 2026 /3BL/ — A $1 million grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation will expand access to construction education, increase student scholarships and strengthen affordable housing partnerships with Metropolitan Community College (MCC), helping students pursuing careers in Nebraska’s growing construction industry. In addition, a $250,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to HomeWoven, a nonprofit focused on housing stability, will support the construction of affordable homes in South Omaha while creating an expanded internship program with MCC, enabling students to learn on the job through hands-on housing development experience.
The investment comes as both employer demand and student interest in construction-related careers continue to rise. According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, the construction industry is among the five industries with the highest number of job openings, comprising 9.8% of all job openings statewide. At MCC, enrollment demand in construction-related programs continues to exceed available capacity, underscoring the need to expand educational opportunities for future skilled trades professionals.
“Strong local economies need housing people can afford and workers with the right skills,” said Jason Rosenberg, head of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. “Wells Fargo’s partnerships with Metropolitan Community College and HomeWoven focus on both training the next generation of trades professionals while helping Nebraska communities build more housing.”
The partnership with MCC, Wells Fargo and HomeWoven was announced during an event at the MCC Construction Education Center on the Fort Omaha Campus. A panel discussion featuring Mike Rowe, CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation and best known as the creator and host of Dirty Jobs, focused on the need for growing the skilled workforce.
“This generous investment from Wells Fargo comes at a critical time as demand continues to grow for skilled construction professionals,” said Scott Broady, MCC dean of Skilled Trades and Technical Sciences. “It will allow Metropolitan Community College to serve more students pursuing high-demand careers while helping remove financial barriers that can prevent them from accessing state-of-the-art education and training at MCC.”
The MCC grant includes $750,000 for improvements supporting construction education and $250,000 in scholarships for students pursuing these programs.
“Affordability is at the top of minds for Nebraskans,” said U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. “Wells Fargo, HomeWoven, and MCC are working together to make a difference. This generous investment provides more students at MCC an opportunity to earn a successful living. It will also help lower housing costs for Nebraskans. I appreciate this effort to support our communities and improve the Good Life.”
For several years, more than 100 MCC students annually have collaborated across disciplines to design and construct affordable homes in partnership with local nonprofits. The Wells Fargo grant is expected to help build on that work by preparing more students for construction careers while expanding opportunities to serve the community.
Funding support will also help HomeWoven address the need for affordable housing and hands on construction experience by those looking to pursue careers in construction. In 2025, the organization served nearly 300 households through its home ownership, home preservation and workforce development programs. The organization has seen twice the need from the community in 2026 from individuals looking to buy their own affordable home. The organization is working to address this need by building homes in the South Omaha area.
“We are grateful for the investment by Wells Fargo of our initiative to provide more affordable housing in South Omaha as well as educate our future construction workforce,” said Jim Clements, Executive Director of HomeWoven. “We are excited about partnering with MCC to provide more opportunities for students to gain skills while addressing the region’s housing needs. The funding from Wells Fargo is a meaningful jump start to expanding our work together.”
The demand for affordable housing is linked to a growing need for electricians, plumbers, construction managers and other trades. Workforce development is key to helping more people afford to live where they work and in towns and rural communities they love.
Mike Rowe had this advice for students in the trades: “Stay curious. Keep learning. Master a skill that’s in demand but be flexible on your journey. One of the greatest advantages of a career in the trades, is the way one opportunity often leads to another – sometimes unexpectedly. And remember, the future for a skilled tradesman in America has never been brighter, or more secure than right now. Also, avoid unnecessary debt, and start saving, starting right now.”
About Metropolitan Community College
Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state.
About HomeWoven
HomeWoven plays a vital role in strengthening the Omaha metro area’s housing stability by developing quality affordable housing. providing critical home repairs and improvements, and affordable homeownership opportunities for hardworking families, older adults and immigrant and refugee homeowners with low to moderate incomes. Through our workforce development program HomeWoven provides internship opportunities to develop a skilled workforce needed to address the community’s affordable housing needs. Our work preserves generational wealth and builds stronger, more resilient communities. HomeWoven serves the Omaha metro area including Douglas and Sarpy County and Council Bluffs, Iowa.
CONTACT:
Brian Ayers
Metropolitan Community College
531-MCC-2725, office
402-917-8967, cell
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