Every Bessemer City High School graduate, beginning with the class of 2027, will be offered at least $10,000 toward tuition at Miles College, Lawson State Community College or Stillman College under a new scholarship funded by QTS, the Blackstone-owned developer behind the city’s proposed Project Marvel data center campus.
Mayor Kenneth Gulley announced the Bessemer Built Scholarship Aug. 14 at the high school.
It is the first program under Bessemer Built, a new city initiative, and will be available to every graduating class through 2030.
Beyond the tuition scholarship, the initiative will offer graduates access to workforce training in technology and the skilled trades, plus four-year tuition scholarships for a limited number of students each year at Miles and Stillman.
“Talent is everywhere in Bessemer. Opportunity should be, too,” Gulley said. “Bessemer Built tells our young people that when they are ready to take the next step, their city is ready to invest in them. We want our students to live, learn, work and thrive in and around Bessemer and to see this as a place where they can build a good life.”
QTS, the scholarship’s lead corporate supporter, confirmed to local media in July that it is pursuing a data center campus on the Project Marvel site off Rock Mountain Lake Road.
The roughly 700-acre, 18-building project, estimated at $14 billion, cleared the Bessemer City Council on 5-2 votes for rezoning last November and a development plan in June, over opposition from nearby residents and environmental groups.
Kimberly Hines, QTS vice president of philanthropy, said the company is “proud to fund this scholarship program and support Mayor Gulley’s vision to expand educational opportunity, strengthen workforce pathways and create new opportunities for Bessemer students.”
“We are committed to being a long-term partner in Bessemer, and this scholarship is just one example of the investments we plan to make to support the community’s growth and success for years to come,” Hines said.
The Same House, a public benefit enterprise led by CEO Rodney Bullard, will serve as the program’s long-term steward, coordinating the city, schools, colleges and funders.
“For Bessemer, this scholarship reflects a clear priority: give young people more ways to continue their education and build their future close to home,” Bullard said.
Program partners will release eligibility requirements, deadlines and award details at bessemerbuilt.com.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
