Madison County Schools’ Ignite Academy receives donation for welding, robotics programs

Madison County school Ignite Academy is getting a $100,000 donation to fund its welding and robotics programs.

Both campuses in Richmond and Berea will be able to buy equipment for their classes with the money. Madison County Schools opened the academy in 2020 to house workforce programs.

“One of the things about career and technical education, as well as STEM education, is oftentimes some of the equipment can be very expensive, and it's difficult for a public school system to fund those at the level of industry quality,” Madison County Schools superintendent David Gilliam said.

The donation is from Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass, and is meant to support the region’s future workforce.

Bechtel Project Manager Joe Curcio says they want to give back to the community as their work at the Blue Grass Army Depot’s chemical weapons destruction plant winds down.

“We've been a part of this community for 17 years, partnering with institutions such as this one and others throughout the community,” Curcio said. “So we really want to leave something behind.”

The donation to Ignite is the latest from Bechtel, which has donated more than $200,000 to Madison County Schools since 2008.

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