LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 27, 2026) — Jackson County and Union County educators received the Kentucky Retail Institute’s (KRI) 2026 “Classroom to Commerce” grants during the annual Kentucky Career and Technical Education (CTE) Statewide Summer Conference on July 21 at the Galt House in Louisville.
KRI awarded two $500 project-based grants to the following high school teachers who sponsor innovative School-Based Enterprise (SBE) programs:
• Sarah McQueen, business administration instructor at Jackson County Area Technology Center (ATC) in southeast Kentucky, received a $500 grant for the “Click. Create. Conquer: The Generals Expansion Project”, increasing storage options for the school’s General Store to improve operational efficiency and expand production.
• Margie McGraw, computer programming teacher and Perkins/work-based learning coordinator at Union County High School in western Kentucky, received a $500 grant for the “Unity Market: Connecting Classrooms to Commerce”, expanding the reach of the Braves & Co. school store by offering student-created products and involving multiple pathways in the process.
“The Kentucky Retail Institute congratulates both Ms. McQueen and Ms. McGraw on these well-deserved grant awards benefiting their respective schools,” said KRI President Cassie Grigsby. “We are proud to invest in these innovative projects that encourage creativity, strengthen work ethic and introduce students to career opportunities in the retail industry. Their work is helping prepare Kentucky’s next generation of retail leaders.”
School-Based Enterprise (SBE) programs are student-led school stores that provide hands-on experience for Kentucky high school students. These enterprises are a form of work-based learning designed to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and practical workforce experience.
Retail supports one in four American jobs and remains Kentucky’s largest private-sector employer. The mission of the Kentucky Retail Institute is to promote the education of students interested in retail careers while strengthening Kentucky’s future workforce.
For more information about the Kentucky Retail Institute, please visit KyRetailInstitute.org.
High-resolution photos from this year’s award presentations can be downloaded at bit.ly/KRIphotos.
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About The Kentucky Retail Institute, Inc.
The Kentucky Retail Institute, Inc. (KRI) promotes the retail industry through education and workforce development. KRI strives to engage with students across the state — helping to bridge the gap between industry and education and grow Kentucky’s retail workforce.
