$2M grant from state helps finish first phase of warehouse renovation
The Newton County School District official opened the first phase of the Newton County Career and Technical Education Center at the side of the old Peavey building last week in Decatur.
Superintendent JO Amis believes this new center will help the area attract new industry.
“The biggest obstacle in recruiting and retaining the industry in Newton County has traditionally been the absence of qualified workforce, and we hope this center here fixes that,” Amis said.
The CTE center is housed in the former Peavey warehouse located right next to Newton County High School on Hwy. 503 in Decatur. The journey for the project began shortly before Christmas in 2017, when Hartley and Mary Peavey donated the former manufacturing facility to help expand its education programs.
“The Board of Education immediately began an analysis of what useless could be greatest impact for our kids here at Newton County,” Amis said. “It became obvious that the expansion of the career and technical education center would have a generational impact our students for a long time.”
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann attended the ribbon cutting after touring the Biewer Sawmill in Newton earlier that day. Seeing that technology used in manufacturing has reaffirmed Hosemann’s belief that they should be investing in career and technical education and why the state was able to invest in this facility as well.
“We’re pleased to be able to put $2 million into this facility,” Hosemann said. “So why are we doing that? Because it’s the future. You know, the young men and women that will come out of here with a trade source will end up working here, and they will end up raising their family here. So it’s a future commitment on behalf of the state. The same commitment that the Board of supervisors and the rest of you made.”
Sen. Tyler McCaughn said the commitment to improving education was made by everyone starting with the school board.
“If you want to see the support, look behind you because what happened was the school board took an empty shell and they said, we are going to invest. We’re going to invest millions of dollars in hopes that somebody sees our vision and joins us in that vision,” McCaughn said.
Rep. Randy Rushing said he toured the facility when they were working on it in November, and he’s eager to see the finished product.
“I’m excited to go in there today and see what’s transpired since that time,” Rushing said. “A lot of people have been doing a lot of work. I can’t commend our board of Education enough for the work you’ve put into it.”
The first phase of the project has created numerous classrooms and offices for the career-tech staff. There is also a practice gymnasium and practice facilities for the cheerleading program.
For Amis, this is one of his last official acts as superintendent prior to his retirement June 30.
“I just want to thank everybody for being here,” Amis said. “I greatly appreciate you. Newton County has been so, so good to me, and I love this place. Once you come here, you going to just be orange and blue all the way. It’s a great place, great place to raise your family.”
