WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has approved a grant totaling $173,423 for the Calhoun County School District.  The funds will be used for the Calhoun County Career and Technical Center.

“These funds represent a great investment in the future of Calhoun County,” Sen. Wicker said.  “The Career and Technical Center will provide students with the necessary resources to prepare them to not only succeed but excel in the workforce.”

This project will enable the Calhoun County School District to begin equipping the new Career and Technical Center in Calhoun City.  The center will accommodate 300 students and provide them with the technological training necessary for the challenges of the 21st Century.  The initial career-technical education programs to be implemented will be industrial maintenance trades, allied health, computer graphics technology, and building trades.  Students will be provided with the up-to-date technology needed to learn skills for today’s and tomorrow’s global job market. 

Currently, Calhoun County School District is the only district in Mississippi with a high school that does not have a vocational education center. 

In addition to the ARC funds, the Calhoun County School District will provide $189,546, bringing the total funding for the project to $362,969.