Rhea County Education Center Ribbon Cutting

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students and state leaders gathered Wednesday for the ribbon cutting of the Rhea County Higher Education Center, a new facility focused on technical education and workforce development in Tennessee.

While the ceremony marked a major milestone, the building is not yet officially open. 

Crews are still finishing the interior with equipment and furniture, with the formal grand opening planned in the coming weeks.

The center includes a welding lab with more than 15 workstations, as well as dedicated labs for electrical training, robotics, emergency medical services, and physical science.

Dr. Rebecca Ashford, President of Chattanooga State Community College, said, “I am profoundly happy that the people of Rhea County today and for generations to come will call the Rhea County Higher Education Center their own and make their own dreams come true.”

Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee attended the ceremony, highlighting the state’s investment in career and technical education programs, including Chattanooga State and other Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. 

He said, “What my heart’s desire was when I decided to  run one of the things I used to say was you know people want a good job and a good school for their kid in a safe neighborhood and one of the ways we get good jobs is to make sure that we have pathways for people who have gifts and skills.”

Lee also pointed to the state’s growing economy and the need for skilled workers to fill new opportunities, stating, “Business has created 300,000 jobs in the state in the last seven years 55 billion dollars of worth capital investment has come to Tennessee we are the envy of states we have economic development like none ever but what that means is we are desperate for men and women to be skilled up and prepared for the jobs that await them that’s what this is all about.”

Community leaders are encouraging families to enroll for the fall semester and help fill the new building with students and programs. 

Possible plans are also to request additional funding in the coming years for a second building on the property.

Following the ribbon cutting, small group tours gave the public a first look inside the facility, highlighting the collaborative efforts of state and local leaders, Chattanooga State, and other educational and workforce development partners.