Irvine, KY– Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) visited the Estill County Area Technology Center. This was Congressman Barr’s first visit to the facility after its recent completion. The new, state-of-the-art job training facility in Estill County will equip hundreds of Kentuckians with the skills to thrive in the 21st Century economy. Congressman Barr supported the Estill County Board of Education’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant application with the U.S. Department of Commerce. This request was approved in 2019 and provided a $4 million grant to support the project.
“The Estill County Area Technology Center will empower Kentuckians with skills for jobs in advanced manufacturing, diesel mechanics and health science, information technology and engineering (STEM), in addition to many other industries,” said Congressman Barr. “This project has been a top priority of mine and I am thrilled that it is finally complete and prepared to make a big difference in Estill County.”
“We were excited that Congressman Barr came to visit the new Estill County Area Technology Center today,” said Jeff Saylor, Superintendent of Estill County Board of Education. “Andy and his office were instrumental in our application process and receipt of the $4 Million EDA Grant awarded for construction of this facility. We are thankful for his friendship and enjoyed hosting him for a fantastic afternoon.”
The Estill County Area Technology Center is being built in a federally designated Opportunity Zone. Congressman Barr voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. The TCJA created federal Opportunity Zones, enhancing the Estill County Board of Education’s grant request with the Department of Commerce and allowing them to request a higher investment in their grant application.