MONTGOMERY — A $1 million grant announced by Gov. Kay Ivey will help provide Lawrence County students with solid labor skills while also meeting Alabama’s demands for a capable workforce.
Funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used by the Lawrence County Board of Education to expand the county’s Career Technical Center by constructing new classrooms for training in welding, automotive technology and industrial maintenance.
“Alabama’s robust economy presents an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to seek skilled training to obtain a good paying job,” Gov. Ivey said. “The expansion of the Lawrence County Career Technical Center will make possible beneficial technical training for local students as they prepare for careers upon graduation.”
The $6.2 million, 20,000-square-foot facility will be constructed on the campus of Lawrence County High School in Moulton and will serve students throughout the school system.
In addition to classrooms for welding, industrial maintenance and automotive technology, the building will have a robotics media room that can be used for career fairs, business and industry meetings, conferences and other workforce activities.
The technical center expansion is not the only good economic news for Lawrence County. Gov. Ivey recently had a role in providing $2.5 million to the county for construction of a plant that will produce panels for solar power. First Solar Inc. plans to hire more than 700 workers.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“It is pleasing to see multiple projects coming to fruition that will benefit Lawrence County and north Alabama,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of these projects, and I commend local and regional leaders for their cooperative efforts that are paying dividends.”
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Lawrence County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Jim Plott or Mike Presley
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