The Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded a grant to the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce to help the area's talent and workforce development.

The $10,000 grant is to support the implementation of programs that will address the area's "most pressing skills gaps in our community," officials said in a news release Wednesday.

“The chamber is focused on talent and workforce development initiatives that will help position our region for an accelerated recovery," Wilmington Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Natalie English said in the release. "Having a skilled workforce that is able to compete once the pandemic is under control is a key component of our recovery strategy."

The funds are being used to continue the chamber's work "developing Talent Pipeline Management collaboratives in partnership with Cape Fear Collective," officials said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the local business community, and while some industries are suffering, others are hiring, officials said in the release. There are also new industries and new jobs opening up as a result of the pandemic, they added.

“A skilled and ready workforce is vital to our local economy," said John Elliott, director of government and community relations at Duke Energy, in the release. "We’re proud to support the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s dedicated efforts to better position our region for recovery from these challenging times."