The Kenton County Fiscal Court approved $600,000 worth of American Rescue Plan Act, known as ARPA, funding for the Life Learning Center at Tuesday’s meeting.
In June, the Fiscal Court approved $3.5 million worth of ARPA funding for the Enzweiler Building Institute to create 13-week courses for trade education programs.
The Life Learning Center is using this recent batch of ARPA money for their students to participate in the instute’s skilled trades courses.
This recent ARPA funding agreement serves as a legislative companion to the previous agreement between the institute and the Fiscal Court that passed on June 13.
“I think it’s gonna be a great continued partnership between the Life Learning Center and the County,” said Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann during the meeting.
Life Learning Center students now can study a skilled trade through the institute, in addition to learning the center’s traditional ‘Foundations for a Better Life’ curriculum.
Located in Covington, the Life Learning Center is a nonprofit that aims to help at-risk individuals gain education and employment opportunities.
The funding will be distributed in two stages: $180,000 from July 11 through June 30, 2024 and $420,000 from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026.
Enzweiler Building Institute courses can provide skilled trades training for up to 620 individuals: 240 students and 400 adults. The courses are slated to begin on Sept. 18 and will be held between 3 and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.