State and local leaders, educators, students and community partners gathered in Troy Thursday to celebrate another major milestone in Alabama’s ongoing investment in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
The Academy Street event featured a ribbon cutting for the expansion and renovation of the existing Academy Street Career Innovation Center, as well as a groundbreaking for a new CTE training facility that will further expand career preparation opportunities for students in the Wiregrass region.
The projects represent the latest example of Alabama’s commitment to strengthening career and technical education and preparing students for the high-demand jobs that are driving economic growth across the state.
Alabama appropriated $100 million for CTE facility improvements in 2025, followed by an additional $150 million investment in 2026. Those investments are helping communities across Alabama modernize existing facilities, build new training centers and give students greater access to the equipment, technology and hands-on instruction needed to succeed in today’s workforce.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), who has made expanding Career and Technical Education a priority during his tenure as Speaker, said investments like those celebrated in Troy demonstrate what is possible when state resources are paired with strong local leadership.
“Every major economic development win begins with a skilled workforce,” Ledbetter said. “When we invest in Career and Technical Education, we are investing directly in Alabama’s students, our communities and the future of our economy. The work happening here in Troy is a great example of what can happen when state and local leaders come together to give students the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.”
The Academy Street project is supported by Alabama Career Pathways, a statewide Career and Technical Education initiative designed to connect high school students with hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials and direct pathways to high-demand careers. Backed by $250 million in state investment in 2025 and 2026, Alabama Career Pathways brings together educators, employers and community leaders to align career preparation with Alabama’s economic needs. Through a growing network of local and regional CTE centers, the initiative is helping students graduate with the skills and credentials needed to enter the workforce or continue their education, strengthening Alabama’s talent pipeline for generations to come.
The Academy Street Career Innovation Center is already providing students with opportunities to pursue training in fields including mechatronics, electrical line work, computer science, aerospace engineering and public safety. The center also incorporates dual enrollment opportunities, allowing students to earn college credit while gaining valuable career skills.
State Representative Marcus Paramore (R-Troy), who has championed efforts to strengthen Alabama’s career and technical education system, said expanding access to high-quality CTE programs is critical to preparing students for the opportunities available in their own communities.
“Career and Technical Education gives students the opportunity to graduate with more than a diploma – they can leave with valuable skills, credentials and a clear pathway into a rewarding career,” Paramore said. “What we are building in Troy will help more students see those opportunities and prepare them to take advantage of them.”
Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed said strong career preparation is essential to meeting the needs of Alabama employers and maintaining the state’s momentum in economic development.
“Alabama’s workforce is one of our greatest competitive advantages, and that advantage begins with giving people access to high-quality training,” Reed said. “Investments like this ensure students have the opportunity to develop the skills employers need while building meaningful careers in the communities they call home.”
The Academy Street project builds on the state’s commitment to creating new opportunities for students while preserving and repurposing a historic part of the community. The Academy Street Career Innovation Center opened in August with a mission focused on preparing students for the technical and professional skills required in today’s workforce.
The expansion and new construction will build on that foundation and provide additional capacity for career-focused education and training.
“Career and Technical Education is about more than preparing students for their first job,” Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said. “It is about giving young people the confidence, skills and opportunities to build successful careers and contribute to the future of their communities. We are grateful for the state’s investment and excited about what this next chapter will mean for our students.”
Pike County Schools Superintendent Mark Bazzell said, “The return on investment across Alabama and in Pike County will be huge. The opportunities created at Academy Street will set many students on a path toward a lifetime of economic independence and productive citizenship. We are most appreciative of our state leaders, business and industry partners, and post-secondary partners who have been critical to making Academy Street Career Innovation Academy a reality.”
The Academy Street project is part of Alabama’s broader effort to expand access to career pathways and strengthen the connection between education, workforce development and economic growth.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
