KENTUCKY — Roughly $75 million in grants is going toward vocational school upgrades, part of Gov. Andy Beshear's Better Kentucky Plan, which is "helping create opportunities for families in every corner of the Commonwealth," according to a release from his office. The Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) is now accepting applications for these grants.

“Vocational schools play a crucial role preparing our people for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Beshear. “My administration will always put education first, and that includes making sure our school facilities have the structural upgrades and technology needed to serve our students into the future.”

Eligible schools can submit applications, which will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, for up to $10 million for renovations. The governor's office said the application was sent to individual districts that qualify for this funding pool. Funding will then be awarded by the SFCC on Sept. 1.

Local Area Vocational Education Centers (LAVEC) that are district-operated career and technical education centers and included in district facility plans are eligible to apply for funding to cover the cost of renovations, like updating, expanding, repairing, replacing or rebuilding a structure. Each district may receive no more than one funding award.

Applicants will be scored on the following criteria, provided by the governor's office:

• Age of current vocational education facility;
• Financial need;
• Enrollment in job creation and training programs as a percentage of total district enrollment;
• Unemployment rate by county as of May 2021; and
• Quality of the planning and district facility plan.

Applications, along with supporting documentation, should be emailed to Chelsey.Couch@ky.gov before the deadline and mailed to 700 Louisville Road, Carriage House, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601. Incomplete applications will not be considered.