Gov. Robert Bentley announced a $48,300 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to purchase new computer equipment for the Athens school system.
The grant will help the school system establish a computer science program at Athens High School.
“Computer-science-related jobs top most lists of high demand, well-paying careers,” Bentley said. “By establishing this program, Athens High School is giving students a head start in developing the skills and experience that will prepare students for successful careers and bright futures.”
School officials report that there is a great demand for computer science courses at the high school. The school system will purchase equipment and supplies including Cisco networking equipment, textbooks, lab manuals, a 3D printer, Dell computers and servers and assorted licenses and software. The new courses will be part of Project Lead the Way, which already started health sciences and pre-engineering courses at the school.
The school system is contributing $56,220 in matching funds.
Congress established the ARC in 1965 as a supplemental grant program to raise the standard of living, improve the quality of life and promote economic development in the Appalachian mountain region, which includes Limestone and 36 other Alabama counties.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama along with a wide range of other programs that support law enforcement, economic development, workforce development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers