PARK HILLS – Mineral Area College (MAC) is poised to significantly expand access to career and technical education (CTE) along the I-55 corridor, with a proposed $30 million initiative designed to address the workforce needs in Ste. Genevieve, Perry, and Cape Girardeau counties. This project, contingent on state appropriations and private donations, will establish new state-of-the-art facilities and programs, creating pathways to in-demand careers for residents across the region.
Mineral Area College President Dr. Joe Gilgour met with Representative Jason Smith last month in Washington, DC, and discussed the college’s plans to expand career and technical education options along the I-55 corridor.
“This is a transformative investment in the future of our service region,” said MAC President Dr. Joe Gilgour. “By expanding access to high-quality career and technical education, we can empower individuals to secure well-paying jobs and provide local businesses with the skilled workforce they need to thrive. These new MAC Tech projects will serve as hubs of opportunity, driving economic growth and creating a more prosperous future for residents in our service region along the I-55 corridor.”
Rendering for a proposed new MAC Tech facility on Progress Parkway in Ste. Genevieve. The project is dependent on state appropriations, and MAC is currently working with legislators to gain support for funding in Missouri’s FY26 budget.
For Ste. Genevieve County, the initiative’s plans call for the construction of a new MAC Tech facility on Progress Parkway in Ste. Genevieve, facilitated by a long-term lease agreement with the city.
- The facility will feature flexible classrooms and industry-standard shop spaces, with program offerings to be determined through close collaboration with community and industry leaders.
- MAC will work with the Ste. Genevieve and Perry County School Districts, including the Perryville Area Career & Technical Center, to ensure we are providing the next steps for students. The programs will complement the great work already being done in the local school districts and will not duplicate existing services.
- The Ste. Genevieve location may also offer some general education coursework.
The new MAC Tech facility and programs are designed for adults and post-high school learners, serving as the next step for graduates of local career and technical centers (CTCs), such as the Perryville Area CTC. These programs would offer CTC graduates a local opportunity to gain additional CTE credentials or an associate degree.
“Building upon the success of our expanded CTE offerings at our Park Hills campus, this expansion will extend affordable educational opportunities to more residents in our service region,” Gilgour said. “We are committed to equipping individuals with the skills and training necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.”
Mineral Area College is determined to work closely with local K-12 school districts, industry, and community leaders to ensure the expansion initiative successfully meets the region’s needs. College leaders are currently working with Senator Mike Henderson and Representative Bryant Wolfin to gain support and secure funding in Missouri’s FY26 budget. The goal is to break ground as early as Fall 2025.
For more information, visit www.MineralArea.edu/2025-Expansion.
About Mineral Area College:
Mineral Area College, based in Park Hills, Missouri, serves a region reaching 22 counties in southeast and south central Missouri. With outreach locations in Fredericktown, Potosi, Perryville, and Cape Girardeau, MAC provides comprehensive educational opportunities, transfer degrees, and career training to empower individuals and strengthen communities. For more information, visit www.MineralArea.edu.