State Park property transferred to JCTC to support development of new Carrollton Campus

CARROLLTON, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2011) Gov. Steve Beshear announced today that 30 acres of unused state park property has been turned over to the Kentucky Community & Technical College System for a new campus in Carroll County.

The land, once part of General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, will be the site for a new regional campus of Jefferson Community & Technical College. The college must still obtain funding for the campus.

The interest in community and technical college courses is growing in this area and this property transfer will help move this project forward, said Gov. Beshear. I'm glad that our Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and Department of Parks could work with the community college system, local businesses and local government to reach an agreement that will benefit students and employers in this region.

The governor presented JCTC President Tony Newberry with the deed to the land during a brief ceremony at North American Stainless, which provided financial support to make the land transfer possible.

Enrollment has grown since the JCTC opened a Carrollton campus in 1990 in a renovated department store. The current 12,450-square foot space can no longer meet the needs of students, businesses or the community, according to the school, which is seeking funding for the campus.

Enrollment on the Carrollton campus has increased 322 percent over the last five years to 862 as of the fall of 2010. The Carrollton campus also serves about 400 adults and children in family literacy programs and works with area businesses and employees on customized training, education and testing programs.

This land moves us one important step closer to developing a comprehensive campus that meets the needs of the 21st century student and employer, Newberry said. We are grateful to North American Stainless and all the partners who made this day possible.

Gov. Beshear thanked several groups that helped support the land transfer, Carrollton College Foundation, Carroll County Fiscal Court, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and North American Stainless , which today announced a $30 million expansion of its Carroll County facility.

With the transfer of the property to JCTC and NAS s announcement of its expansion, this is a great day for our area, said Harold Shorty Tomlinson, Carroll County Judge-Executive. I want to thank Governor Beshear, Senator Harris, Representative Rand, Secretary Sparrow, the Carroll County Fiscal Court, the Jefferson Community College Local Advisory Board, and JCTC for making the land available for the much needed new regional campus. Also, I not only want to thank NAS for investing in Carroll County, but also for its $100,000 contribution to assist in making the new regional campus a reality. NAS is a great corporate citizen.

The property is along KY 227 across from the park.