HCTC awarded $1.5 million grant

Hazard Community and Technical College is rejoicing with notice of a $1.5 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to be used towards the Intergenerational Training Center at the Lees College Campus in Jackson. The money will be used to furnish and equip the facility.

HCTC has plans to construct a 14,700 square foot center for job training and credentialing focused around four emerging regional career clusters: information technology, telemedicine and health sciences, mechatronics, and eco-tourism/small business development.

Dr. Jennifer Lindon, HCTC president/CEO, said she is delighted to this funding made available to HCTC from the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (Power) Initiative. The Appalachian Regional Commission understands the importance of training and has awarded funding to 27 others who are working to cultivate a resilient economy in Appalachia. This group of awards alone total nearly $26 million and will build a stronger economy in coal-impacted communities across five Appalachian states.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl noted, These investments capitalize on the growing momentum for a diverse economy in Appalachia. They are strategic, collaborative, and impactful projects making the Region more competitive in technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, broadband, health, and a variety of other sectors.

The project will leverage the capacity of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Inc. (EKCEP) and the Kentucky Career Center to promote and market the program to out-of-school youth and displaced and underemployed workers impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The project will serve a seven-county area in the region, and will train 295 dislocated workers and credential 228 students over the life of the award.