The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center for Culinary Arts held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday. It marks the beginning of construction of a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining facility adjacent to Poplar Bluff High School, which is located at 3203 Oak Grove Road.
Director Charles Kinsey of PBTCC explained construction plans for the facility began approximately two and a half years ago.
“We had some staff changes and things, and we are using the community block grant to fund this. The entire purpose of this program is to consolidate and not have the busing situation for kids,” he said. “We’re also focused on this because as a district we serve 10 other schools, so this is not just affecting the Butler County area. This is impacting all the area schools. The kids that come here to get training for culinary arts can go back to their communities and work.”
The students will have the ability to go into the profession and earn money, Kinsey said.
School board member Larry Kimbrow praised Kinsey’s work in getting grants for the project.
“We couldn’t do it without those, to echo his words, it is going to be an immeasurable asset to not only the school but the surrounding community as well,” Kimbrow said. “It will be a great recruiting school as well as assist in the retention of students and teachers. It will be much better for the public to be able to get here and the parking situation will be a lot better.”
Regarding the Community Development Block Grant aspect, Kinsey explained its role in assisting multiple generations of low-income individuals in finding employment.
“Some of the ideas that we’re kicking around now are introductory classes for high school students as well as adult students,” he said. “We’re looking to maybe partner with the rescue mission and maybe create a scenario where people who are maybe down on their luck have an opportunity to get some training.”
Architect Dillie Pollard from Cape Girardeau along with Zoellner Construction out of Perryville are handling the design and construction of the new facility.
“This particular aspect of the technical career center involves a significant investment,” Kinsey said. “However, the value of having this facility will extend across generations, offering opportunities for individuals who will be using it 15, 25, or even 30 years from now. It will be a state-of-the-art facility both currently and in the future.”
Kinsey also expressed gratitude for the support received from the community and the school board, emphasizing their integral role in making the project a reality.
He said the estimated completion date is late 2023.
“So you know, it could be as early as mid October and it could be December, but we’re shooting for late October,” he said.