For 48 years, Estill County Schools students traveled over 40 miles daily to seek vocational training that wasn’t offered locally.

Now, thanks to an entire community of support, they only need to walk the length of a pedway.

The new Estill County Area Technology Center is a $14.7 million cutting-edge facility that will open this fall to serve high school and technical college students and provide training for displaced workers seeking new career paths.

The 40,000-square-foot facility houses six different career and technical programs that will provide educational opportunities to approximately 300 students from Estill, Powell and surrounding counties in the region.

But this facility did not happen for Estill County Schools overnight.

At Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Superintendent Jeff Saylor sat side-by-side with pivotal supporters such as Dr. Koffi Akakpo, President of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner, Jason Glass, local leaders from Estill and Powell Counties, and even Governor Andy Beshear.

“I’m telling you that today, the center of our Kentucky universe is right here in Estill County. You ‘ought to be proud,” said Beshear.

Saylor recalled the obstacles that the District faced finding construction funding for the facility.

“We got said no to, and we found another way,” said Saylor.

Several leaders in the District stood tall in the face of rejection and persevered, finding different paths for funding.

“If you can’t fight for your kids, then what are you in education for?” said Saylor.

He stood alongside faculty, past board members and present board members as they recalled the journey they took to secure the funding needed for the ATC.

And it paid off.

The $14.7 million in funding for the project came from several sources;

• $5 million in District Building Funding financed by local tax dollars through the passage of the “Recallable Nickel”;
• $5.7 million from the State Work Ready Skills Initiative Grant; and
• $4 million from a federal U.S. Economic Development Administration grant.

But the Governor’s office wasn’t the only place Estill County’s Board of Education looked to for support. They also turned to their very own community.

“Hillary Clinton once said that it takes a village to raise a child,” said Board Chair Donna Isfort, “but in this case, it takes a community.”

The District recognized more than a dozen partners who helped make the ATC a reality, and each partner is permanently recognized throughout the building.

RossTarrant Architects mirrored that community support in the design of the ATC. Brian Buckner, Associate and Senior Project Architect, said the connecting elements are the standout feature of this project. The ATC physically connects to Estill County High School, allowing a direct and safe link for students. The transparency of the main lobby offers a visual connection into the building and adjoining labs in order to spark interest in prospective students for the programs offered. Not only is the new facility physically connected to a part of its surrounding community, but it also has multiple breakout spaces that encourage collaboration and teamwork. These small gathering spaces are located throughout the entire building.

Dozens of community members, partners and supporters sat outside the doors of the new ATC, eager to finally see their hard work and determination come to life.

“Watching the community walk through the building for the first time, knowing how much effort it took from so many people and organizations to make that moment happen, made it all worth it,” said Peter Fisher, Project Manager. “I believe this facility has the potential to be a transformative project for the county and region.”

Akakpo remembered the first time he walked into the dust-filled construction site with his team at the beginning of last year. “But today, we have this beautiful building, and it’s because of your leadership.” said Akakpo as he looked at Saylor. “You had a dream together with your staff, and today that dream becomes a reality.”

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