Lt. Gov. Coleman, Trigg County Leaders Cut Ribbon on $10 Million Career and Technical Education Center

Gov. Beshear presented funding for complete renovation of facility in 2021

PRINCETON / CADIZ, Ky.(Aug. 2, 2024) - Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined state and local leaders in Trigg County to cut the ribbon on a new career and technical education center within Trigg County Public Schools. In 2021, Gov. Andy Beshear presented $10 million for a complete renovation of the facility.

"As a former educator and assistant principal, I know how important it is for us to give students hands-on learning opportunities, especially when they can see how their new skills will help them build their careers," Lt. Gov. Coleman said. "Teachers are the original job creators, and I want to thank the educators and staff in Trigg County for their commitment to providing world-class experiential learning for their students."

"My administration will always put education first, and I'm so happy that we were able to provide $10 million to help Trigg County open this amazing new facility where students can get hands-on training for their careers while they're still in high school," Gov. Beshear said. "Together, we can build that better Kentucky we all want, where none of our kids and grandkids have to leave home to chase their dreams, because they have every opportunity right here."

The Trigg County facility was originally built in 1972. This newly renovated center will create a stronger regional talent pipeline and will allow every Trigg County High School student to elect and progress through a career pathway during high school.

The new building will feature state-of-the-art technology and special equipment upgrades including:

• new welding tables;
• a medical environment that mimics a hospital wing;
• multiple 3D printers;
• a school bookstore with the capability to produce shirts, signage and more;
• a heated greenhouse that can stay open year-round;
• a fully functioning commercial kitchen with opportunities for catering and cafe-style dining;
• a tire machine and balancer;
• the capability for students to build their own IT networks within the classroom; and
• a dog-grooming table.

In September 2021, as part of his Better Kentucky Plan, Gov. Beshear awarded Kentucky school districts $75 million to upgrade career and technical education facilities. The grants were approved by the Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission Board. To learn more, see the full release.

This morning, Lt. Gov. Coleman also visited Princeton to help unveil the sign for the Chief Deputy Jody Wayne Cash Memorial Highway. Jody Cash lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff's Office. Gov. Beshear has also named the Department of Criminal Justice Training's upcoming training facility after Chief Deputy Cash. The Jody Cash Multipurpose Training Facility will be a 42,794-square-foot facility with a 50-yard, 30-lane firing range designed for officers to receive intensive and specialized training. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.

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