Writer: Lance Turner
Jackson Times

Hazard Community and Technical College announced its $4 million fund raising campaign at the Lees College Campus on Friday, January 20 where the College has plans to create a new intergenerational center to serve the people of Jackson and Breathitt County.

"Fulfilling the Promise" is the campaign started by the college with plans to raise enough money for five initiatives, including scholarships, equipment, to promote college preparedness through the Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky and to enhance the relationship and collaboration of teachers in schools districts in the region; to invest in the arts - including starting a visual/graphic arts program at Lees, and an unrestricted fund so the College can be flexible in addressing unforeseen needs.

County Judge Executive Lewis Warrix and Jackson Mayor Mike Miller have both been working with the college to promote the arts by providing funding for the local match to support the construction of an intergenerational center which would house the visual arts program and have other areas for community and local school use.

Both the mayor and judge gave a brief address on the importance of Lees College and higher education. Fred Brashear, chair of the HCTC Board of Directors, and co-chair of the campaign, said it was important to support these initiatives because education is so vitally important to the region's growth and it is such a great investment.

"We can improve the quality of life in these mountains if education is improved," Brashear said.

HCTC President/CEO Jay K. Box commented on a vision for a better region. "We want to enjoy a standard of living that meets or exceeds the national average; we want successful businesses that are globally competitive. We need investments and partnerships with individuals, businesses, and foundations to achieve our dreams," Dr. Box said.

On display at the campaign announcement were many posters of those who had contributed to the campaign so far.

Many contributed to the scholarship initiative by supporting the Troy Eslinger Scholarship Fund, as well as the Breathitt County Fiscal Court, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Warrix, Citizens Bank and Trust Company of Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Edmonds, the Telford Foundation, and Mayor Mike Miller and the City of Jackson, along with Lees College Campus employees.

The campaign has raised over $3 million at this time, still leaving it short of its goal.

Also on Friday, January 20, the campaign announcement was made in Hazard. The day before, the college campaign was announced at the Leslie County Center and at the Kentucky School of Craft in Hindman.