Statement from Senator Kerry Roberts regarding major grant for TCAT Dickson

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336

(NASHVILLE), November 7, 2019 - State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) made the following statement regarding the announcement that the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Dickson will receive a $987,699 grant under provisions of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Act which he co-sponsored.  The funds will be used for the BRIDGE to Work Program. 

“I am very pleased that the TCAT Dickson will receive this major grant,” said Sen. Roberts, who is chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee.  “This program helps us increase job opportunities, including extending dual enrollment credits for high-skill, high-demand career-focused programs at our TCATs and community colleges.  Many local students will greatly benefit from the programs funded by this grant for many years to come as we raise the number of Tennesseans with a post-secondary credential or degree.”

The release from Governor Lee regarding the grants is copied below:

Gov. Lee Announces $25 Million Vocational Education Investment Through GIVE Grants

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced projects receiving funding through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program which prioritizes learning opportunities in rural counties and enhances career and technical education statewide.

“We are proud to work with the General Assembly to pass the GIVE initiative and expand career and technical education for Tennessee students,” said Lee. “These funds directly support our workforce development efforts in distressed and at-risk counties and are a key component of our strategy to prioritize rural Tennessee.”

Earlier this year, the General Assembly approved $25 million in the governor’s budget to incentivize collaboration at the local level among stakeholders such as higher education institutions, K-12 and economic development partners.

The award process began in June when the Tennessee Higher Education Commission issued a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP). Each proposal was required to show local data that clearly identified both workforce needs and a sustainable plan utilizing equipment, work-based learning experiences, or recognized industry certifications to increase the state’s competitiveness and postsecondary attainment goals.

The program prioritized economically distressed and at-risk counties in the RFP process. The 28 funded projects will serve all economically distressed counties and 18 of the 24 at-risk counties.

The Appalachian Regional Commission index of economic status categorizes counties as at-risk or distressed based upon their three-year average unemployment rate, per capita market income, and poverty rates. Distressed counties rank among the 10% most economically distressed in the nation while at-risk counties rank between the bottom 10% and 25% of the nation’s counties.

Below is the list of GIVE projects and recipients:

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