BSCTC – Prestonsburg – The federal government has awarded an advanced manufacturing technology grant to three KCTCS institutions including Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC). The Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the recipients of the grant at the 2018 SOAR Summit.
The EDA is the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development. The agency plays a critical role in regional economic development efforts across the U.S. The Commerce Department, which houses the EDA, states that the grant will provide additional funds to help communities severely affected by the declining coal industry and create 261 jobs.
BSCTC strives to continue to bring manufacturing and advanced technology to eastern Kentucky and this grant will allow that work to continue. American Metal Works, Silverliner and the new Advanced Technology Center, which will open in the spring on the Pikeville campus, are some of the projects the college has been involved in to help retrain the workforce.
“We pride ourselves on our continued focus to train the workforce in this area. With this grant from the EDA, we can continue to provide training for advanced manufacturing,” said Dr. Sherry Zylka, BSCTC President/CEO
The grant will also provide grant funds to Southeast Community and Technical College and Hazard Community and Technical College.
