LAKE CITY, Fla. -- Florida Gateway College (FGC) today announced a $3 million federal grant, the largest in the college’s history, to build a new Building Construction Technology Center and launch construction trades programs for students across rural North Florida. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined FGC President Dr. Lawrence Barrett, State Rep. Chuck Brannan, and Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges at the Florida Department of Education, on campus to announce the award.

The five-year award comes through the Strengthening Institutions Program, a U.S. Department of Education program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This year’s competition prioritized applications from rural institutions and programs that build career pathways and workforce readiness. Rep. Cammack’s office supported FGC’s application with a letter of support.

“North Central Florida is full of folks who build things with their hands, and they shouldn't have to leave home to learn a trade. This center means they won't have to. Florida Gateway put together a winning plan, and I was proud to back it. This is a federal investment done right, and I can't wait to see the first class walk into that lab,” said Rep. Kat Cammack.

“This grant is a tremendous investment in our college, our students, and the future of North Central Florida. The Building Construction program will create new opportunities for students to build skills, earn credentials, and pursue rewarding careers without having to leave the communities they call home. We’re grateful for the support that made this project possible, and we are excited to get to work,” said FGC President Dr. Lawrence Barrett.

The grant will fund the modernization and renovation of an existing campus building for classroom space, along with a new 4,800-square-foot addition to house a construction laboratory. The lab will be equipped with modern technology and tools and new HVAC and exhaust systems. The project also covers educational equipment and upgrades to the building’s electrical and IT capabilities.

FGC will use the funding to develop two new programs of study: a Building Construction Specialist certificate and a Building Construction Technology Associate in Science degree. The programs are designed to be stackable, giving students multiple options for how far they progress and which credentials they earn.

The first year of the grant, funded at $1,583,000, covers renovation of the existing building and the concrete pad for the new lab. In year two, FGC will build the addition, purchase equipment, and develop the curriculum. Classes are expected to begin in year three, likely in fall 2028, with the remaining years of the grant supporting instruction and program growth.

About Florida Gateway College
Florida Gateway College is one of the 28 state colleges in the Florida College System. FGC has established a strong tradition of providing high quality, postsecondary educational opportunities to the citizens of North Central Florida. What began as a school of Forestry in 1947, has now grown to become a comprehensive public college serving more than 5,000 students annually. FGC offers more than 60 programs, ranging from occupational certificates to associate’s degrees to bachelor’s degrees, through both traditional and online education. For more information, visit www.fgc.edu.