MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $500,000 grant to transform a former manufacturing plant in Oxford into a multi-classroom regional training center for career and workforce development.
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to develop the Choccolocco Research, Education, Arts and Technical Experience (CREATE) Regional Training Center at the former Honeywell manufacturing facility. The project will include the renovation of 15,986 square feet to accommodate five career technical education classrooms. This will facilitate instruction in the areas of comprehensive construction, industrial maintenance, aviation, modern manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, law enforcement and other areas. The center will be open to regional high school students during the day and adult workers looking to improve or learn new skills in the evening. It will serve Calhoun, Talladega, Cleburne and Clay counties. Oxford City Schools owns the facility and will operate the educational center.
“This state-of-the-art learning center will benefit students and workers looking to build successful careers,” Gov. Ivey said. “It will also help close the skills gap in key industries, meeting the needs of current employers and attracting new ones to the area. I am pleased to support this grant and look forward to the many positive impacts it will make on students and workers in this region.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“This is great news for east Alabama communities and industries that are in need of more skilled workers,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I join Gov. Ivey in commending the government, education, economic development and industry leaders who collaborated to make this project possible.”
Gov. Ivey notified Dr. Shannon Stanley, superintendent of Oxford City Schools, that the grant had been approved.
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 Calhoun 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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