U.S. Sen. Katie Britt announced she has secured $700,000 in federal funding for Drake State Community and Technical College as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, with the investment aimed at expanding workforce training in North Alabama.
The funding was included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill and is part of more than $5.74 million Britt said she helped secure for the Alabama Community College System.
The announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Education recognizes April as National Community College Month.
“I’m honored to join our state and nation in recognizing our incredible community colleges this April,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said. “The $700,000 in funding I was proud to directly secure for Drake State will benefit not just the students, faculty, and staff on campus, but also Huntsville and the surrounding communities.”
Britt said the funding reflects a broader effort to strengthen workforce pipelines and support career training programs aligned with industry needs.
“This is exactly the investment federal taxpayer dollars should make, empowering our students and preparing the next generation of leaders,” she said.
State education leaders said the funding will help expand opportunities for students and employers alike.
“Senator Katie Britt’s leadership in securing critical funding reflects her deep commitment to investing in the people of our state,” said Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. “Because of her investment, she is helping make life better for Alabamians through the transformative opportunities our community colleges provide.”
Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State, said the investment will directly support high-demand training programs and instructional capacity.
“This $700,000 investment is a powerful confirmation of the role community and technical colleges play in strengthening our workforce and our regional economy,” Sims said. “These funds will allow us to expand high-demand training programs, enhance instructional capacity, and continue delivering hands-on, career-ready education that meets the needs of employers across North Alabama.”
Founded in 1961, Drake State is a historically Black community college in Huntsville that serves students pursuing two-year degrees, technical certifications and workforce training programs. The college plays a key role in supporting the region’s aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing industries.
