News

SCC awarded $6 million for new Laurel Campus Career & Technical Training Complex

Published on Aug 29, 2025

Congressman Hal Rogers, SCC President Dr. Carey Castle, Governor Andy Beshear, and other SCC staff members on stage accepting a $6 million large check for the new training complex Somerset Community College (SCC) has been awarded a $6 million Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant to equip and furnish the new Career & Technical Education (CTE) Training Complex on the Laurel Campus. The announcement was made today at the 2025 Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit by Congressman Harold Rogers and Governor Andy Beshear.

Congressman Rogers established the AMLER program in 2016 to help coal-producing states revitalize in the midst of the downturn of the coal industry. The grant is funded through the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

The Laurel Campus sits on property once owned by the Interstate Coal Company, where coal trucks once lined the roads. The transformation of this historic site into a hub for technical education symbolizes both the region’s resilience and its shift toward new economic opportunities.

SCC President Dr. Carey Castle expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the transformational impact of the project.

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Rogers, Senator Mitch McConnell and Governor Beshear for their support in awarding Somerset Community College the AMLER grant. This funding allows us to enhance our programs with state-of-the-art equipment and furnishings for the new Technology Building set to break ground next year at our Laurel Campus in London. Our vision is for this facility to serve as a hub for business and industry in Southeast Kentucky, preparing future employees with training that not only meets but exceeds industry expectations. The new Technical Building will bring a new look to the historical Interstate Coal Company and a new pathway for the students and communities in our region.”

The AMLER grant will support Phase 4 of the $39 million CTE Complex project, which includes purchasing state-of-the-art trainers, tools, and furnishings for programs in:

Advanced Manufacturing
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Construction Technology
HVAC/Air Conditioning
Welding Technology
Automotive Technology
Diesel Technology
Electrical/Electronic Technology

Equipment will include advanced HVAC trainers (solar, wind, and geothermal systems), diesel and automotive engine dynos, robotic welders, plasma cutting systems, programmable logic controller (PLC) trainers, heavy equipment such as skid steers and mini excavators, and a variety of precision tools used by today’s trades professionals.

SCC works closely with local and regional industries to align training with workforce needs, particularly in Kentucky’s top in-demand sectors. Many graduates secure high-paying positions within months of completing even a single industry-recognized credential, offering fast pathways to family-sustaining wages.

The new CTE Complex will house programs currently located at the Laurel South Campus beside of South Laurel High School. This will bring all programs offered by SCC onto one campus. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with the facility opening in 2027.