BENTON, KY. (Oct. 20, 2026) – Today, Kentucky Lake Economic Development announced it has been awarded a Workforce Invest grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to prepare Marshall County Public School students for high-demand careers and help local employers build the skilled workforce needed to support long-term economic growth.
Recognizing the importance of local collaboration, TVA Economic Development, in partnership with VisionFirst Advisors, created the Workforce Invest grant program to support innovative workforce training and education initiatives tailored to each community's unique needs. Now in its fifth funding round, the program has awarded more than 50 grants across the Tennessee Valley and is expected to provide training opportunities for more than 10,000 Valley residents.
By bringing together education, workforce, industry and community partners, Kentucky Lake Economic Development will help align training opportunities with local workforce needs in the construction, transportation, agriculture and material handling industries. The result is greater opportunity for our students, a stronger talent pipeline for employers and a more competitive community to attract new business investment.
"Investing in our students is an investment in Marshall County’s future,” said Elizabeth Griffth Mudd, President of Kentucky Lake Economic Development. “Through partnerships with our schools, employers and TVA, we’re creating pathways for students to gain valuable skills and prepare for rewarding careers while helping local businesses build the skilled workforce they need to grow.”
Through this grant, Kentucky Lake Economic Development in partnership with the Marshall County Public School System will purchase two heavy equipment operator simulators for the Marshall County Technical Center, establishing a new hands-on training pathway that prepares students for careers in high-demand occupations. The initiative will help address the need for skilled workers in heavy equipment operation, construction, commercial driving, agriculture and material handling by expanding access to industry-relevant training, providing opportunities to earn recognized credentials, and strengthening connections between students and employers through job fairs, work-based learning and cooperative education opportunities. Local employers will benefit from a stronger pipeline of qualified candidates, while Marshall County will be better positioned to meet workforce demands, support business growth and attract future investment.
The project is made possible through a collaborative partnership among Kentucky Lake Economic Development, Marshall County Public Schools, Pinnacle, Inc., and the International Union of Operating Engineers whose collective expertise and resources will help ensure the initiative delivers meaningful, long-term benefits for residents, employers and the community.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Brian Hood, Marshall County Technical Center Principal said, “We look forward to helping insure KLED’s vision of investing in the students of Marshall County’s future and continuing to create pathways for students to gain valuable skills and prepare for rewarding careers.”
“TVA has always been a valued partner of our community,” said Marshall County Schools Superintendent Bill Thorpe. "We are honored to receive this TVA grant to continue providing opportunities for our students with the purchase of two heavy equipment simulators.”
“This grant is an investment in the future of Marshall County,” said Kevin Spraggs, Marshall County Judge Executive. “By giving our students access to hands-on training and industry-recognized credentials, we’re helping prepare them for good-paying careers while ensuring local employers have access to the skilled workforce they need.”
"Developing a skilled workforce is essential to creating long-term economic opportunity across the Valley region," said Heidi Smith, TVA Vice President of Economic Development. "Through Workforce Invest, we are partnering with local economic development organizations to support innovative workforce training and education initiatives that not only meet today’s talent demands but prepare community residents for rewarding job opportunities and career pathways. We congratulate Marshall County and look forward to seeing the lasting impact this investment will have."
"Communities often have incredible workforce and education resources, but residents may not be aware of the opportunities available to them," said Nancy Blum-Heintz, Managing Director of VisionFirst Advisors. "Workforce Invest projects do not just create new training opportunities. They strengthen partnerships, improve awareness and connect residents to training and education opportunities that can change the trajectory of their careers. When communities align around that shared mission, everyone benefits."