TCAT Portland's $45 million expansion: What we know
A $45 million investment was recently announced as part of Tennessee's 2025-2026 budget proposal to expand technical training opportunities.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville's Portland campus will be expanded with more than 40,000 square feet of new training space and three new programs.
'The expansion of the TCAT Portland campus will allow the site to expand enrollment by approximately 50%,' TCAT Nashville President Nathan Garrett said.
'This space is much needed as the college has grown traditional enrollment by 46% since January of 2022.'
The TCAT Portland campus opened its doors in 2015.
More: New Portland tech school focused on the future
Since then, the technical college has served about 1,500 students over the last decade, Garrett said.
'We're excited, it's one of our fastest growing campuses to serve Sumner County,' he said.
Governor Bill Lee delivered his seventh annual State of the State address on Feb. 10.
In it, he proposed $1.37 billion in one-time funding for several state building projects including the TCAT Sumner County replacement project, The Tennessean reported.
More: $1B for roads, $579M for schools and no tax breaks: What's in Lee's $58.4B budget pitch
As reported by The Tennessean, a new scholarship designed to cover outstanding costs for things like textbooks, tools and other equipment for students at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technologies was also discussed during the address.
More: Gov. Bill Lee pledges renewed help for everyday expenses in State of the State address
Officials anticipate the Portland project will add 44,000 square feet of new training space, Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile and House Majority Leader William Lamberth announced in a release.
Another 34,000 square feet of existing space will be renovated to enhance six existing programs and launch three new ones.
'Our TCATs play a critical role in equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in today's workforce,' Haile said in the release. 'This funding will significantly expand the Portland campus's capacity, ensuring that more students in Sumner County have access to high-quality training and career opportunities right here at home.'
Three new programs will be introduced following the expansion including automotive technology, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technology and heavy equipment technology.
Selecting these new programs was 'a data-driven process,' Garrett said.
Officials look at hiring demands and job opportunities, and speak with industry partners and more throughout the selection process.
'It's a really community-based event to say: 'What do we need now and where do we see the future?''
Established programs like computer operating systems, networking and cybersecurity, industrial maintenance/mechatronics, machine tool technology, welding technology, cosmetology and residential, commercial and industrial electricity will continue to be offered, though may receive a few upgrades.
'Everything that will be housed in this facility will be completely up to date on industry standards,' he said.
'Every program that we have up there currently will receive the latest and greatest technology that is currently in the industry, and that's something that's really hard for a college to be able to do, but this is a really good opportunity for us to do so.'
Haile and Lamberth led efforts to bring a TCAT campus to Portland and advocated for funding to expand the school to accommodate more students, the release said.
'Technical colleges and vocational training are an integral part of our state's economic strategy. This investment makes Portland a top-tier destination for education and workforce development,' Lamberth said in the release.
'By equipping our evolving workforce with advanced skills, we are providing a strong pipeline of talent that will drive economic growth and innovation for our community and surrounding counties for the twenty-first century.'
Officials anticipate the $45 million TCAT Portland investment will be approved by the General Assembly in the coming months, before the budget takes effect on July 1.
Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TCAT Portland plans $45 million expansion, announces 3 new programs
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