CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Chattanooga State Community College students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered Wednesday alongside local and statewide dignitaries to celebrate the groundbreaking of the college’s newest Tennessee College of Applied Technologies (TCAT) Building. 

The $15 million TCAT building will comprise two stories across approximately 25,000 square-feet. It is slated to open in January 2026. 

The building will house the college’s Massage Therapy, Barbering, Cosmetology, and Aesthetics programs and will replace TCAT 1, which will be demolished to create an additional campus green space for student use. 

ChattState President Dr. Rebecca Ashford said the building is a testament to the impact of technical education on individuals, families, and communities. 

“This facility represents our ongoing commitment to workforce training and career excellence,” said Dr. Ashford. “All of our future students who pursue these vital, service-oriented professions are poised for bright and impactful futures.” 

Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Flora W. Tydings said the construction of the new training facility represents both the state’s commitment to accessible technical education and the direct impact that job skills can have on individuals. 

“Having buildings that represent the importance of what’s happening at a technical college is crucial,” Dr. Tydings said. “What we’re doing here is changing lives. When we change a student’s life, we change a family’s life.” 

Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson said the impact of the new building will be felt by more than just students who learn in it, bolstering entire communities and regions with career opportunities that offer family-sustaining wages. 

“Chattanooga State’s newest TCAT building will play a vital role in educating and training generations of students for in-demand careers, strengthening the future of our city, our county, our region, and the entire state of Tennessee,” Watson said. “Investing in technical education creates a multiplier effect, leading to higher earning potential, job creation, and healthier communities.” 

TCAT at ChattState Vice President Bo Drake said Tennessee’s statewide vision of enhanced technical education mirrors that of the College: to ensure students have the best facilities and tools available to prepare them to thrive in the workforce. 

“The state of Tennessee has made a historical investment in technical colleges across the state of Tennessee,” Drake said. “This new building is going to replace an aging facility and provide our students with access to modern equipment in a state-of-the-art setting, allowing us to best prepare our students for the future.”