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Bluegrass Community and Technical College has served the Winchester community at its location of 2020 Rolling Hills Lane. 

Thanks to some innovation, hard work, and strong development, it will soon have more space to offer its many valuable programs. 

On Thursday, November 14, a Community Open House event was held to showcase its newly acquired facility at 1919 Rolling Hills Lane – just across from the facility it currently utilizes. 

“We are thrilled to introduce you to the latest and greatest edition of BCTC,” said Renee French, Director of BCTC’s Winchester campus. “We’re thrilled to see so many here to support the vision for this building.” 

Among the many people in attendance for the event were state senator Greg Elkins, Magistrates Chris Davis and Steve Craycraft, City Commissioner Kenny Book, Clark County Public Library Director Angela Turner, former BCTC Winchester Campus Director and current City Manager Bruce Manley, and more. 

Both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, considered transfer pathways, are made possible thanks to the many programs and education that will be provided at BCTC’s new facility. 

For example, the nursing program at Winchester’s campus will be housed at the new location beginning in January 2025. 

“As you can see…we have a lot more room,” said Bluegrass Community and Technical College President Dr. Greg Feeney, who mentioned that needs assessments had taken place. “We know what many of those are, so this is going to help us take what we do here at BCTC and complete our mission to a whole other level.” 

Also speaking at the event were Winchester-Clark County Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Sowden and Clark Regional Medical Center CEO Matt Smith. 

“We’re a community, and every one of us in this room [benefits] from the interaction of everyone else in this room,” Sowden said. “To have the BCTC campus in the industrial park is priceless. To have a workforce training center, which is potentially going to take place here, is priceless. To be able to encourage industry to grow here utilizing these resources to attract other industry…makes my job a whole lot easier.” 

Certainly not least, current BCTC student Zoe Robert – expected to graduate in May 2025 – told of her experience at BCTC and how it was beneficial. 

“From the first day, BCTC welcomed me with open arms. The faculty and staff are not just educators, they’re mentors, guides, and supporters who are genuinely invested in our success as students,” she said. “BCTC provided me with a robust education, equipping me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in my journey.” 

“Having the opportunity for…clinical rotation in a community based site was really, really important to me,” Smith said. “I look forward to all the things this building is going to do for our community.” 

Feeney also noted other advantages of BCTC. 

“The other thing…that we have at this campus that I want to make sure I give credit to is adult education, and that’s our GED program,” he said. “”It’s a major feeder to our college program as a whole.” 

After the event, time was allowed for many individuals to tour the new campus facility if they so chose. 

It’s a place where Dr. Feeney looks forward to seeing the program meet the needs of people at all levels. 

“When a student comes to us, it makes no difference what level they’re at,” he said. “We’re able to support them.”