As printed in the Q3 2023 ACCS Alabama Minute Newsletter.

The Alabama Legislature established the System 60 years ago. Thanks to the leadership and support of Governor Kay Ivey and the Legislature, over $522 million of new funding was approved that will allow the 24 community and technical colleges of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) to make much-needed facility upgrades and enhancements, including the construction of new workforce training centers.

Every community college in Alabama obtained funding for improvement projects that help address construction needs for top-level training facilities. Colleges like Gadsden State received funding to construct state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills training centers. The $12 million set aside in the supplemental budget for Gadsden State was made possible due to the support and advocacy of Alabama legislators.

The center’s construction is supported by Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg), who believes it will have a meaningful impact on the lives of real people. She was a former Gadsden State student.

“By providing first-class facilities and workforce training opportunities for our citizens, Gadsden State is assisting the next generation of industrial and manufacturing leaders,” said Shaver.

Funding also supports equipment upgrades and the expansion of workforce development initiatives statewide.

For more information, visit https://www.accs.edu/impact/.

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