This article originally appeared on CityBiz.
30,200-square-foot Rhea County Higher Education Center will feature hands-on labs and classrooms for Career and Technical Training
Hoar Construction announced today the topping out of a new Chattanooga State Community College site in Dayton, Tennessee—just outside of Chattanooga—signifying construction has reached its highest point. The project broke ground in November 2024 and is anticipated to open in January 2026 to expand career and technical programs.
The future home of the Rhea County Higher Education Center is part of a broader statewide initiative led by the TBR – The College System of Tennessee to expand Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) and train the workforce of tomorrow. Designed to bridge skills gaps in high-demand technical fields, this project reflects a historic investment in Tennessee’s future. With significant funding allocated toward new construction, the impact will be felt in Dayton and communities across the state.
“This project is about more than just constructing a new facility,” said Gabriel Dew, assistant superintendent at Hoar. “We are proud to be a part of cultivating the next generation of skilled workers and contributing to the economic growth of the region and the state of Tennessee. We are also thankful to be working closely alongside the professionals at the Tennessee Board of Regents, Chattanooga State Community College and our invaluable trade partners, to deliver this needed project to a rural community.”
The two-story, 30,200-square-foot project will feature classrooms and specialized, hands-on labs for trade programs including welding, automation, robotics, electrical, computer support technician and emergency medical technician (EMT). It will serve both traditional and dual enrollment students. Hoar is also overseeing sitework, the construction of a surrounding parking lot and a lengthy drive road and the addition of landscaping improvements to the site.
“We are proud to reach this significant milestone in the construction of a new facility in Dayton,” said Dr. Rebecca Ashford, President of Chattanooga State. “In less than a year, this state-of-the-art learning environment will become a space where students can develop the skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers, benefitting themselves, their families, and the entire Dayton community.”
During the planning and design phases, Hoar utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) to coordinate mechanical, electrical and plumbing components of the project, enabling the team to create 3D models of the building. This is one of the largest ongoing projects and the first of its kind in the Dayton area.
Additional project partners for the Rhea County Higher Education Center project include DH&W Architects as the principal architecture firm, with Daniel Oakley as the lead architect. This is an ongoing relationship, and the 9th project that Hoar and DH&W Architects have partnered on together.
Hoar has been active in the Tennessee market with similar projects, including several other TCAT developments. This is the third TCAT project managed by Hoar’s Chattanooga office, highlighting its commitment to workforce development and community investment, and their continued relationship with Chattanooga State Community College.
