FL Gateway College: Kat Cammack scores $3 Million for new FGC Construction Trades Program, first in the state – Gift from the American People
October 8, 2025 9:15 am | 6 min read
AI Summary in a minute
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Yesterday morning, the 5-county community served by Florida Gateway College (FGC) showed up at the college library to celebrate a $3 million federal grant for post-secondary construction education facility and program development.
Your reporter asked around before the meeting came to order, and no one knew what the $3 million grant was for. Many were told to “show up.” The house was packed to standing room only. The news was good.
There was a full house, standing room only, for the
announcement.
The Grant: serving low-income students
A gift from the American people
The Grant is a gift from the American people (where the money comes from). The funding came through the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). This program is part of Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act (federal), designed to help eligible colleges become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students.
The grant application states it was "Submitted to U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education."However, throughout the grant application — such as in the budget, reporting, and guideline sections — it is clear that the funds, performance measures, and compliance standards (like the 150% timeframe and reporting systems) belong to the U.S. Department of Education.
Florida Gateway College’s proposal utilizes a proven community college model. It blends a stackable degree path with NCCER/OSHA certifications and a tangible capstone build (like a tiny house). This model is becoming the standard for postsecondary construction education in the United States.
Successful similar programs are here.
Grant Background
FGC serves a rural, five-county area with higher-than-average poverty rates (15%-22%) and low postsecondary education attainment. CareerSource data confirms a significant construction workforce gap, with over 40,000 regional job openings projected by 2034 across CareerSource Regions 8 and 26. Currently, three area high schools offer construction training programs, but no clear postsecondary pathway exists to bridge students into advanced construction careers. This project aims to close that gap.
Florida House Representative Chuck Brannan spoke fondly
of his days at Lake City Community College. Rep. Brannan
also sits on the FGC board.
Projected Outcomes
Reaching 30 enrolled students by Year 5 and retaining at least 60% of students annually. (That means, even with the lower educational standards of Florida, 40% of students may drop out)
Graduating 70% of program participants on time (150% of program length – which is not really on time).
Ensuring 80% of graduates secure construction-related positions earning at least $30/hour or continue into advanced education.
Contributing to regional workforce growth and filling construction labor gaps.
Infrastructure and Curriculum Development
The proposed Building Construction Technology Center will include:
Renovation of an existing facility to create modern classrooms, a faculty office, restrooms, and a fully updated HVAC and technology system.
Construction of a 4,800-square-foot lab outfitted with industry-grade equipment and simulators.
Budget
The grant budget is structured to maximize impactful investments during the first two years:
Renovation of an underutilized campus building to create:
Classrooms equipped with updated HVAC systems, modernized electrical infrastructure, ADA-compliant spaces, and technology upgrades like interactive display units and virtual reality simulators.
Construction of a 4,800-square-foot building equipped with spaces for plumbing, electrical work, framing, and finishes training. Students will use state-of-the-art tools and heavy equipment to complete hands-on projects.
Infrastructure Development: $1,873,000.
Instructional Resources and Technology: $634,700 for tools, equipment, and simulation software.
Salaries: $418,300 for one full-time faculty member.
A Regional Workforce Problem
Florida College Chancellor Kathryn Hebda and FGC
acknowledge Congresswoman Cammack's staff.
FGC President Larry Barrett opened by emphasizing the project's importance, noting the role FGC plays in its rural five-county service region. "Our students live in one of the most underrepresented areas in Florida in terms of educational attainment," President Barrett said. Poverty rates range as high as 22% in some counties.
“This initiative is genuinely transformative,” Congresswoman Kat Cammack remarked. Highlighting the regional workforce gap identified in recent studies, Ms. Cammack stated, “There are over 40,000 projected construction job openings in this region by 2034. This [grant] makes it possible for students to get degrees and certifications in fields that pay over $30 an hour.”
Ms. Cammack added, “This isn’t just about a grant. It’s about ensuring students don’t have to leave their hometowns to find good, high-paying jobs in construction industries.”
The grant seeks to help institutions like FGC expand their capacity to serve low-income residents. Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of Florida Colleges, underlined the federal recognition of FGC’s potential: “This shows how places like Florida Gateway College change lives every day and enrich our communities.”
Dr. Barrett praised the collaboration, stating, “With this addition, we’ve created transformative STEM, health, safety, and now construction paths for our students. Special thanks go to Brandon McIntire, who wrote this competitive and detailed grant over the summer.”
Representative Chuck Brannan reminisced about his own start at FGC (he mentioned he calls it Lake City Community College) in the early 1980s, calling the institution a "gateway moment" in his life. “This college has been critical for families across Baker, Union, Dixie, and Columbia counties,” he shared, adding that despite his pending exit from public office, he plans to closely watch the program’s progress.
College Chancellor Hebda had an obvious warm spot for
community colleges.
Chancellor Hebda summarized the program’s significance, (also mentioning, I also call this Lake City Community College just like you): “You’re not just building facilities here. You’re building people’s futures, and in the process, you’re building Florida’s future.”
President Barrett closed the show: “We are just not teaching theory. We are training the next generation of builders, problem solvers, and leaders who will keep this economy growing in North Florida.”
Epilogue
FGC (Lake City Community College) is doing what community colleges do. It may be time to put the “community” back into the college’s name.
Unaddressed are the severe remediation needs of high school students that FGC and other rural Florida colleges are facing in the post-secondary education world. With students falling further and further behind in math, reading, and writing skills, and a state (read Florida) that fails to give colleges the tools to get those students remediated, or even identified, those students are being cheated out of truly being educated.
At the old Lake City Community College, now FGC, then-College President Chuck Hall was not afraid to say, “92% of the students entering the college need remediation.”
Those in the know – know that has not changed.
