U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) has announced that the Kentucky Education Development Corporation (KEDC) will receive a federal grant of $3,230,400 per year for seven years. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP Elevate grant program, which aims to improve postsecondary access and success for students in rural and high-poverty areas.
The Elevate project will enable KEDC and its partners to support students across 27 schools in 12 districts. The initiative is designed to help strengthen academic performance, increase high school graduation rates, and improve college enrollment outcomes.
“For 60 years, KEDC has helped shape future generations of Kentuckians,” said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), who wrote a letter supporting the grant application. “This federal award will strengthen their work by expanding mentorship, guidance, and resources for students in need across our Commonwealth. I especially want to thank CEO Nancy Hutchinson and her entire team for their dedication to putting the GEAR UP grant to work for Kentucky students, including those in Bourbon and Nicholas Counties right here in the Sixth District.”
Nancy Hutchinson, CEO of KEDC, stated: “We are thrilled to receive the GEAR UP Elevate Grant, which will empower students across 12 districts and 22 schools over the next seven years — providing academic support, fostering college readiness and awareness, engaging families, intervening early, and bolstering professional development. This initiative will transform lives and strengthen our educational communities.”
The project focuses on several goals: increasing academic achievement in preparation for postsecondary education; raising graduation rates; improving college enrollment; and expanding knowledge about college options and financial aid among students and families. Services offered through ELEVATE include academic support programs, college readiness activities, financial literacy education, family engagement opportunities, early intervention services for students at risk of falling behind academically or dropping out of school, as well as professional development for educators.
Participating districts include Bourbon, Boyd, Harrison, Johnson, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Nicholas, Rockcastle, and Rowan Counties.
Andy Barr has represented Kentucky’s 6th district in Congress since 2013 after replacing Ben Chandler [source]. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives [source]. Born in Lexington in 1973 [source], Barr graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA before earning his JD from the University of Kentucky College of Law [source].
