It was my pleasure to participate in the Kentucky Tech-Floyd County Area Technology Center’s annual fall steering committee meeting, led by Principal Lenville Martin. I want to thank businesses and school leaders who support career and technical education programs offered at the school.

We are working through some tough economic times affecting funding. The Kentucky Tech-Floyd County ATC budget is set by the General Assembly and managed by the Office of Career and Technical Education. It is the leanest in the history of our Kentucky Tech System of Schools.

I appreciate Sen. Johnny Ray Turner and Rep. Hubert Collins, who took time from their busy schedules to attend the meeting and offer their support. We were able to briefly talk about how difficult it is to manage in tough economic times with limited state budget resources. They were also concerned about not being able to say yes to the many worthy and deserving needs that impact their district. Sen. Turner, Rep. Collins and all of us understand the value of offering high-level technical skills to students and their economic impact on Floyd County, Kentucky and the nation.

The very sharp and highly skilled students taught at the Kentucky Tech-Floyd County ATC represent the seeds of recovery for our nation.