ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – Central Alabama Community College (CACC) has been awarded a significant grant of over $1 million to fortify healthcare education and workforce development in rural areas, courtesy of the Alabama Community College System’s 2024 Alabama Centers for Rural Healthcare Opportunity appropriation.
This substantial funding, with an exact total of $1,016,997.44, will revolutionize opportunities for health science students and strengthen the healthcare workforce throughout the state.
“We are incredibly grateful and excited to receive this generous grant, representing a transformative opportunity for CACC and our surrounding communities,” said President Jeff Lynn.
The grant will fuel the expansion of CACC’s health science programs, tackling the distinct challenges of rural healthcare delivery. It will also forge new partnerships with local healthcare providers, offering students invaluable hands-on experience.
Michael Barnette, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Programs at CACC, hailed the grant as a “game-changer.”
“It allows us to increase our training capacity and innovate how we deliver education and support services, ensuring our students are well-prepared to serve in rural healthcare environments,” Barnette explained.
Moreover, the grant will provide holistic support for health science students, addressing barriers to education and career advancement. CACC’s dedication to improving healthcare education and addressing rural workforce needs is evident, as this grant will allow the college to train a new wave of healthcare professionals, ultimately promoting better health outcomes across rural Alabama.
For further details on CACC’s offerings, including its nursing and science wing, visit www.cacc.edu.