HAMILTON, Ala. — In a public meeting on Thursday September 17th, officials announced that the Marion County School System, in partnership with Bevill State Community College, has been awarded a $12.5 million Rural Career Technical Center Grant to construct a new facility for the Marion County Career Academy.
The grant represents the largest single grant awarded in the history of Marion County Schools and provides a transformative investment in career and technical education, workforce development, and postsecondary opportunities for students throughout Marion County and the surrounding region.
The new Marion County Career Academy will provide students with access to state-of-the-art career and technical programs designed to prepare them for high-demand careers while also creating opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials and college credit.
Through the partnership with Bevill State Community College, students will have access to dual-enrollment opportunities and seamless pathways into postsecondary technical programs. The Academy will bring together secondary and postsecondary education in a way that allows students to explore career opportunities, develop valuable workforce skills, and continue their education beyond high school.
State Senator Garlan Gudger played a significant role in advocating for the project and helping secure the resources necessary to make the vision a reality.
“This is the largest grant in the history of Marion County Schools,” said Senator Garlan Gudger. “It shows what we can do when everybody works together! We all know how important workforce development is, and this is an investment in the people of Marion and surrounding counties.”
Superintendent Patrick Sutton and officials with The Marion County Board of Education have worked closely with Bevill State administrators and other community and industry partners to develop a vision for the Career Academy that responds to the workforce needs and opportunities of Northwest Alabama.
The Academy will support career pathways in areas aligned with regional workforce demand, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, skilled trades, agriculture, and other technical fields.
“This grant is a game-changer for our students and our entire community,” said Dr. Patrick Sutton, Superintendent of Marion County Schools. “The Marion County Career Academy and our partnership with Bevill State Community College allow us to offer specialized training that prepares our students directly for the modern workforce, while also providing academic dual-enrollment opportunities for students who plan to attend college after high school.”
Sutton added, “We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and partnership of Senator Garlan Gudger, Dr. Joel Hagood and the Bevill State Community College team, our Board of Education, and everyone who has worked behind the scenes to bring these resources to Marion County. This is a tremendous example of what can happen when education, government, higher education, business, and our communities work together toward a common goal.”
Dr. Joel Hagood, President of Bevill State Community College, said “This partnership provides students with opportunities to earn credentials and college credit while preparing for careers.”
The Marion County Career Academy is already serving students from all five Marion County high schools, temporarily utilizing existing spaces on the Bevill State Community College campus in Hamilton. The Academy opened in fall 2026 with approximately 435 students enrolled.
The new facility will provide the space and resources necessary to expand the Academy's programs and opportunities as the partnership between Marion County Schools and Bevill State continues to grow.
“This is about much more than constructing a building,” Sutton said. “We are building opportunities for our students and investing in the future of Marion County. We want every student to graduate with a plan for what comes next — whether that is entering the workforce, earning a technical credential, attending college, or pursuing a combination of those pathways.”
Planning and design for the new facility will begin immediately. Additional details regarding construction timelines, facility design, and specific program offerings will be announced as the project progresses.
Marion County Schools and Bevill State Community College are grateful to the State of Alabama, Senator Garlan Gudger, the Marion County Board of Education, and the many community and industry partners whose support has helped make this investment possible.