Lumpkin County Schools Awarded $3.1 Million Grant for College & Career Academy

FROM TCSG (ATLANTA, Ga)–The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) approved grants totaling $9 million in bond funds to establish new College and Career Academies in Mitchell, Candler, and Lumpkin Counties. TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier, will award three partnerships with grant funds to establish the new College and Career Academies in the cumulative bond amount of $9 million ($3 million to each) and the cumulative cash amount of $300,000 ($100,000 to each).

“One of the top priorities of my administration is to provide more Georgians with a quality education that prepares them for the 21st century workforce,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “These new College and Career Academies will connect students with industry professionals, prepare them for high-demand careers, and develop skilled talent businesses can depend on to compete. I look forward to seeing the opportunities this program will create to help keep us the number one state for business.”

Three of Georgia’s technical colleges will partner with local education systems to establish the academies. Southern Regional Technical College will partner with Mitchell County Schools to establish the SOWEGA College and Career Academy, Southeastern Technical College will partner with Candler County Schools to establish the Metter College and Career Academy, and Lanier Technical College will partner with Lumpkin County Schools to establish the Lumpkin County College and Career Academy.

“The addition of these three College and Career Academies in Georgia means we are providing more students with learning opportunities that link directly to workforce needs,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “More high school students will experience an education that connects the classroom to a career through valuable partnerships made with local industry.”

With these three new CCAs, the total number of College and Career Academies in Georgia will increase from 52 to 55. More than 40,000 students are already enrolled in College and Career Academies throughout the state.

Statement from Superintendent Dr. Rob Brown:

“Although I was unable to be with our team at the TCSG State Board meeting due to a scheduling conflict with the GSBA/GSSA Winter Conference, I was receiving real-time updates throughout the morning in anticipation for the official announcement. Today is the culmination of three years of work with our local workforce, industry, businesses, community, and school district. As superintendent, I am excited for the opportunities that this grant and the Lumpkin County College & Career Academy will provide for our students, our community, and our local workforce. Having a Lanier Technical College presence in Lumpkin County will benefit more than just LCSS students; the possibilities this opens up for adult education with technical college certifications will impact many more! Congratulations to our team for their hard work over the last several years to get us to today! Let’s keep the momentum as tomorrow is the first day of a new beginning in Lumpkin County!”

By: Jason Lemley, Director of Community Engagement & CTAE