ECTC celebrates technical building renovation with beam signing

Published on Oct 27, 2025

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College celebrated the start of a $60.5 million renovation of the Occupational Technical Building on the Elizabethtown campus with a beam signing ceremony on Monday. ECTC faculty, staff and students and community leaders gathered to make their mark on a structural beam to be used in the building’s addition. 

The renovated building will house classrooms and labs for trade, manufacturing, and logistics programs.

“This is a historic milestone for the college and workforce development in our region,” said ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate. “ECTC is training the workforce our employers need to succeed in fields like robotics and automation, welding and machining, and automotive and diesel technology. When this project is complete, we will have the modern facilities needed to take technical training to the next level and expand the talent pipelines for high-demand careers in our region.”

Construction is already underway for the first of two phases of the renovation, which includes a 12,000-square-foot addition and innovative classrooms for multiple advanced manufacturing disciplines. The completion of phase No. 1 and the start of phase No. 2 is expected as early as December 2026. 

“Modernizing facilities like this ensures that Kentucky students have access to the technology and learning environments they need to succeed in today’s workforce,” said Kentucky Community and Technical College System President Dr. Ryan Quarles. “These investments not only expand opportunities for our students but also strengthen communities and fuel economic growth across the Commonwealth. We’re grateful to the Kentucky legislature for recognizing the importance of this work and investing in the future of our students and our state."

Technical education and workforce development are critical investments, officials attending the ceremony noted.

"As we continue to invest in Kentucky’s future, the renovations at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College demonstrate our ongoing commitment to accessible, high-quality education,” said State Sen. Matt Deneen. “These upgrades will expand programs, improve facilities, and create pathways for students to gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues of the Kentucky General Assembly in supporting this regional hub of educational innovation that will empower learners, strengthen our workforce and fuel opportunity for generations to come.”

“This is more than a construction project. This is an investment in our students, in our region, and in tomorrow’s workforce,” said State Rep. Steve Bratcher. “With this remodel, we are opening doors to world-class technical training that will prepare our students not just for today’s jobs but for careers that are not yet developed.”

“As president and COO of the Elizabethtown Hardin County Industrial Foundation, I can’t overstate how vital ECTC is to the strength of our regional workforce,” said Andy Games. “The renovation of the OTB building represents a significant investment in the future of our manufacturing sector and the skilled trades that drive our local economy. This project ensures that ECTC can continue to provide state-of-the-art training, connecting our students with the advanced skills employers need today and preparing them for the opportunities of tomorrow. Partnerships like this are what keep Elizabethtown and Hardin County at the forefront of Kentucky’s industrial growth.”