State leaders are pledging $300-thousand dollars to help pay for a STEAM Academy for Paintsville Independent Schools.
STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
During a press conference on Thursday, Paintsville Independent Schools Superintendent David Gibson said this will help improve not just the students, but the area as well.
“We believe, in the mountains, if we're going to rise up and get better we're going to do it ourself. So this program is an economic development center that is K through 12, its a grassroots movement that will move our region forward.”
Gibson said this is expected to help more than just students.
“We hope to use our facility for adult entrepreneurial training and to be a magnet for jobs to come into the area and help our kids in Paintsville.”
These funds are part of Kentucky's Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation or G.R.A.N.T. Program and will be used to match funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Gibson said this will help Paintsville students learn new skills that could help them prepare for careers that are especially needed in eastern Kentucky.
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