Chesapeake's Big Move: Building a Future-Ready Career Hub

Chesapeake is getting a major upgrade for its career center. A huge $20 million grant from the state is going towards building a new, modern facility. This is a big deal because the current one has been around since 1967. It's old and needs a serious update. The new center, called the Career Academies of Chesapeake, will offer more programs. Right now, students learn things like machining, cosmetology, and automotive tech. But the new place will add six more fields, including maritime and marine science. This is important because the job market is always changing. Schools need to keep up with what jobs will be in demand. The total cost for this project is about $101. 5 million. The school system already has a third of that money. They still need to raise about $65 million more. The good news is, they've secured enough funds to start designing the new building within the next year or two.This grant is a big win because they've tried and failed to get it before. The money comes from a state program that helps schools with construction projects. The plan is to start building between 2027 and 2028. The new center should be ready by 2030. Some people think trade schools are just for students who don't go to college. But that's not true. Learning a trade can actually help students get into college. It can spark their interest in a field or make college more affordable because they have a good-paying job. The current career center already has a partnership with a local college for dual enrollment credits. The superintendent, Jared A. Cotton, is really excited about this project. He says it's a big step forward for the community. Students and parents are excited too. This new center will help meet the needs of the community and prepare students for the future.