Legislature approves $130.6 million for KCTCS capital projects

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
Date: March 31, 2005

Contact: Terri Giltner, (859) 256-3186, terri.giltner@kctcs.edu

Legislature approves $130.6 million for KCTCS capital projects

VERSAILLES, KY (March 31, 2005) - The budget approved by the 2005 General Assembly included $130.6 million in bond funding for 11 capital projects that will allow the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to expand programs and class offerings across the state.

"We are extremely appreciative of the legislature’s commitment to our system and their recognition of the important role KCTCS plays in educating Kentuckians and preparing them for the workforce," said Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS. "Our system has grown very rapidly and this funding will allow us to keep pace with the increasing demands of students and employers."

KCTCS is the state's largest and fastest growing postsecondary education institution with an enrollment of 82,000 students. It operates 16 colleges on 65 campuses across the state.

The General Assembly approved funding for the following KCTCS capital projects:

Ashland Community and Technical College - $18.0 million in bonds funds for construction of Ashland Technology Center. The center will be constructed at the new Technology Drive Campus which is located in East Park Industrial Park.

Bowling Green Technical College - $14.0 million ($12.0 million in bond funds and $2.0 million in KCTCS restricted funds) for construction of the Franklin/Simpson Technology Center and $7.5 million in bond funds for Warren County Technology Center. These centers will provide customized training in industrial and information technologies to meet the unique needs of the business and industry.

Gateway Community and Technical College - $15.5 million for expansion of the Edgewood campus. The funds will allow for growth of the college’s rapidly growing healthcare programs.

Henderson Community College - $15.1 million ($13.1 million in bond funds and $2.0 million in KCTCS restricted funds) for construction of the HCC Technology Center. The center will house the college’s community and economic development program, computer and industrial technology programs, industrial training facilities, a distance learning center, and a learning skills center.

Jefferson Community College - $600,000 for renovations of the Harford Tower and Seminary Building on the downtown campus of Jefferson Community College. This funding will focus on renovations for instructional use, administrative offices, faculty offices and community education programming.

Lexington Community College - $31.7 million for construction of LCC Classroom/Lab Building in Lexington and $4.9 million (reallocation of $3.4 million in bond funds and $1.5 million in KCTCS restricted funds) for the Winchester/ Clark County Facility. The new buildings will house classrooms, laboratories, learning resource centers and computer labs, along with faculty and administrative office space.

Madisonville Community College - $16 million ($14.0 million in bond funds and $2.0 million in KCTCS restricted funds) for construction of MCC Energy and Advanced Technology Center. The new facility will house technical training programs and new programs in energy technologies.

Owensboro Community and Technical College - $15 million ($13.1 million in bond funds and $2.0 million in KCTCS restricted funds) for construction of Owensboro Technology Center. The new center was established through a partnership between OCTC and Western Kentucky University and will provide certificate and associate degree programming, upper division baccalaureate and post graduate coursework, and workforce training for area business and industry.

Somerset Community College - $1.7 million for renovation of Aircraft Maintenance Lab at SCC South Campus. The renovations will meet federal aviation standards and safety requirements for the Aviation Maintenance program

KCTCS is changing the lives of Kentuckians by providing affordable and accessible postsecondary education at 16 community and technical colleges on 65 campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.