The Excelsior Springs Area Career Center received $400,000 in a 75/25 matching grant, which was approved during the December Board of Education meeting.

Ben Rubey, Excelsior Springs Area Career Center director, explained how the grant would be used to fund two new programs at the center.

“Based on Workforce Development data and occupational projections, the two programs that would most benefit our students and community would be physical therapy, sports medicine and law enforcement,” said Rubey, noting the grant funds can be used for the design, renovation, construction and improvement of the center.

Being a 75/25 matching grant, the district will need to provide $700,000 for the center, totaling $1.1 million to be put towards the new programs. The board also approved a 50/50 grant in October from Missouri House Bill 3002, which awarded $546,070.75 to the district for a career center project. The district will provide a little over that amount, $546,070.75, for a total of $1.1 million. The district will be spending $1,253,929.25 overall, and receiving $946,070.75 in grants, with a total of $2.2 million toward the new programs.