Upper Valley Career Center breaks ground on $18 million expansion

PIQUA, Ohio ( WDTN ) — On Wednesday, Upper Valley Career Center broke ground on a multi-million dollar expansion to get more students interested in the trades.

The expansion adds 150 to 175 spots for students, which Superintendent Jason Haak says is needed given the growing demand for these programs.

“We’ve had waitlists the last several years of programs. And this project is really going to help us meet that need meet that workforce need within our local community,” said Haak.

The $18 million facility will expand the career center to 57,000 square feet. Several programs will benefit from the increased space, including its medical careers academy, first responders academy and electrical trades.

The state invested $12.8 million into the project through the Career Technical Construction Program.

“If we have students who can leave high school with money in their pocket, skills on their resume, and employers who are ready to hire them. It’s just creates prosperity,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted.

The school already serves more than 1,100 students on its main campus and 3,800 through satellite programs.

Pre-engineering and Design Program Senior Deanna Rodeheffer says the expansion will allow more students to explore career paths while still in high school.

“They get the opportunity that I had to choose what program they would like to get this foot in the door for them, for their future,” said Rodeheffer.

The expansion is expected to be completed by October 2025.

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