Tennessee technical colleges are in line for $1 billion

Growing older technical schools all through the state could possibly be on the cusp of a $1 billion improve.

• If Gov. Invoice Lee’s new spending plan is authorized, the cash pays for six new campuses, the growth of 16 others and the alternative of seven outdated buildings.

Why it issues: A lot of Tennessee’s technical schools had been constructed within the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies and are woefully outdated.

• Lee and different state leaders say enhancements are urgently wanted to construct a workforce that may maintain the state’s rising manufacturing and automotive sectors.
• In his State of the State tackle final week, Lee mentioned the brand new building would increase capability at technical schools in order that they may prepare as many as 10,000 new staff yearly.

State of play: Lots of the present campuses aren’t designed to accommodate fashionable tools and excessive scholar demand.

• Some lack fundamental facilities corresponding to air con and accessible restrooms.

What they’re saying: The Tennessee Greater Schooling Fee authorized a plan outlining the development wants final month. Fee members had been blunt of their assessments.

• “I’ve seen the situations a few of them are in, and it’s difficult to study in these environments,” fee vice chair Vernon Stafford Jr. mentioned.
• “We will not ignore the scholars who undergo that system.”

Secretary of State Tre Hargett, who additionally sits on the fee, mentioned “now’s the time” to handle campus issues. He referred to the state’s good budgetary standing pushed by unusually excessive surpluses.

• “With as a lot cash as we now have proper now, how good issues have been right here, if we do not do one thing now, I do not know once we will.”

Flashback: Lee, who beforehand served on the Greater Schooling Fee, got here into workplace touting the facility of commerce faculties. He has made technical schools a precedence as governor.

Zoom in: The brand new cash would totally fund the Tennessee Faculties of Utilized Expertise grasp plan, which incorporates a number of tasks within the Nashville space.

• A $55.5 million improve of the Nashville campus would come with new tutorial buildings and an expanded car parking zone.
• A $12.2 million alternative campus on the Nashville airport would supply a brand new hangar, lab house and school rooms.