COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS WALKER AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Foundation purchased the future home of the Heman Drummond Center of Innovation, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the career technical partnership between the Walker County and Jasper City School Systems. Once the property was secured, plans began to transform the space into a cutting-edge Center of Innovation, designed to inspire and equip students with the skills they need for today and the future. As the building takes shape, the Foundation will work to generate the financial support necessary to bring the vision to life, forging partnerships and securing funding to ensure the Center’s success. In parallel, the Foundation will convene local school systems, collaborating to build on existing award-winning programs to develop future educational opportunities that will prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. To bring the vision to the community, the Foundation will create dynamic marketing materials that showcase the innovative programs and the vast possibilities available to students. These efforts will engage donors, parents, students, industry and the community, creating excitement and anticipation for the transformative impact the Center will have on education and regional economic development. WALKER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM and JASPER CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM Once the building is complete, the Walker County School System will receive the Heman Drummond Center of Innovation and, together with the Jasper City School System, will operate it as a state-of-the-art facility offering a comprehensive and high-quality curriculum. By leveraging the existing enrollment of over 750 students at the Walker County Center for Technology and Jasper High School Career & Technical Education programs, HDCI will be able to maximize its impact and provide valuable opportunities for a wide range of students from both the Walker County and Jasper City systems. This collaboration will strengthen the educational offerings in the region and help prepare the next generation for success in a rapidly changing workforce. BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE In partnership with Walker County and Jasper City Schools, Bevill State Community College will help build a stronger bridge between K-12 education and the workforce. By continuing to strengthen this connection, the college will help the school systems to address the ongoing challenges of labor force participation, ensuring that students are better prepared to enter the workforce with the skills and certifications employers need. JASPER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD and WALKER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Economic Development is vital to the success of a community and for HDCI to be located in the center of our community’s industrial park will pay dividends well into the future. The visionary leadership of the Jasper Industrial Development Board (JIDB) in allowing the Foundation to purchase this property shows a strong commitment to the development of high-wage, high-demand jobs in in the area. Together, the Walker County Economic & Industrial Development Authority and JIDB will play a key role in bringing together educators and industry partners to continuously develop and refine programs that align with the evolving needs of the workforce. This ongoing dialogue will ensure that students have access to relevant, cutting-edge training that equips them for success, bridging the gap between education and employment.
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