By Natayla Anderson
Union County has never had a large population. Many farms and backcountry roads cause students to travel outside of the community to seek higher education, and this can put a financial burden on the citizens.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Union County TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) and the Walters State Community College (WSCC) occurred on the Union County High school campus on December 4. The construction fulfills a dream of a multitude of Union County citizens and officials.
In a surprise announcement near the end of the groundbreaking ceremony for SR 33, Representative Dennis Powers stated that Union County would be receiving $9M to build a Tennessee College of Applied Technology and a community college adjacent to Union County High School. According to Powers, the construction would become a model for higher education across Tennessee.
County Mayor Jason Bailey added that seniors would be graduating with work ready certifications, additional dual enrollment courses, and possibly a high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time.
State and local leaders came together on March 16 to congratulate the first graduating class of the Fiber Optic Boot Camp in Union County to be certified as fiber optics technicians in fiber optic installation.
The course was made possible through the Governor's Investment in Vocational Education, better known as the GIVE Grant.
Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Carter welcomed everyone and noted that for over four years, Union County Public Schools has been working to make sure that career and technical programs are offered that will help ensure jobs for our graduates.
Union County Commission closed out its final meeting for 2020 by supporting a couple of changes with huge local impact.
It seems that local cattle producers are enduring a waitlist of 18 to 24 months to get their beef processed.
Commissioner Jeff Brantley brought the issue to Commission's attention and introduced James Acuff, a Grainger County Commissioner and President of Grainger County Cattle Association to explain the issue.
I recently sat down with the Director of Schools, Dr. Jimmy Carter, Union County High School’s CTE Director, Brian Shoffner, and Union County High School Teacher, Danny Satterfield, to talk about a new and exciting program called TCAT. The funny little acronym stands for Tennessee College of Applied Technology. TCAT is a post-secondary educational opportunity for graduating high school students as well as adults with a high school diploma or GED wanting vocational training.
The results are in and the winners are the citizens of Union County. Why? This election was decided on the issues; the important issues facing all of Union County.