Walker County’s legislative delegation has secured another $12 million for the Heman Drummond Center of Innovation, giving a major boost to the career-tech facility being built in Jasper.
State Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) announced the additional funding, saying it brings the total state funding secured by the delegation for the project to $25.85 million.
“I’m proud to announce that the State of Alabama has awarded an additional $12 million to help finish this transformational project,” Woods said.
Woods, along with State Reps. Greg Barnes (R-Curry) and Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley), has worked with local leaders and organizations to secure funding for the center. The three lawmakers appeared together to announce the latest award.
The Heman Drummond Center of Innovation is being built in Jasper’s industrial park and will provide career and technical education opportunities for students from both Walker County and Jasper City schools.
The more than 120,000-square-foot center will give students opportunities to learn skills that could take them directly into the workforce or prepare them for additional education.
Programs planned for the center range from robotics, cybersecurity, coding, digital media and biotechnology to welding, automotive, healthcare and construction.
Students will also have opportunities to earn industry certifications and take college-level courses, as well as participate in mentorships, apprenticeships and internships. Through an existing partnership with Bevill State Community College, Walker County students can enroll in career-tech courses at no cost.
The latest award continues a growing state investment in the project. The Alabama Legislature previously appropriated $5 million for the center. In August 2025, Woods announced another $8 million, bringing the state’s investment at that time to $13 million. The Legislature appropriated another $850,000 in 2026 before the latest $12 million award.
The project has also drawn support from the Walker Area Community Foundation, the Drummond family, Walker County Schools, Jasper City Schools, Bevill State Community College and the city of Jasper. The city previously committed $1 million toward the project for economic development and industrial recruitment.
Construction on the new Heman Drummond Center of Innovation facility is continuing this fall. Construction began in May 2025, and the building recently reached the “dry-in” stage, allowing crews to move ahead with interior work.
Woods credited the organizations involved for working together to make the center possible.
“Thank you to the Walker Area Community Foundation, the Drummond family, Walker County Schools, Jasper City Schools, and Bevill State Community College for their partnership and commitment to creating more opportunities for our students and strengthening the future workforce of Walker County,” Woods said.
“This is what we can accomplish when our community and legislative delegation work together.”
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
