Mayor Greenberg announces $5 million grant awarded for the KentuckianaWorks College Access Center
Funding will support Louisville high school students seeking a degree or apprenticeship
LOUISVILLE, KY (September 22, 2026) - Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg today announced the KentuckianaWorks College Access Center (KCAC) was awarded a $5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Labor to support its work serving high school students in Louisville.
“Even more Louisville students will now have someone in their corner, helping them as they make critical decisions about their future,” said Mayor Greenberg. “We’re sending a clear message that we are investing in our young people and creating every possible pathway to opportunity and success.”
The additional funding will allow the College Access Center to more than double the number of local high school students it serves yearly, from approximately 800 students at seven schools to 2,000 students at twelve. The grant was awarded through a highly competitive, national application process that included many universities and state governments.
““From early learning to high school, from college and apprenticeships to that first great job, we are investing in Louisville’s young people and creating pathways for them to build their futures right here at home.””
“This is also part of a bigger story,” Mayor Greenberg said, highlighting the successful growth of city-supported programs to support young people like Thrive By 5 Louisville, SummerWorks, The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Center, After the Tassel, and Evolve502. “From early learning to high school, from college and apprenticeships to that first great job, we are investing in Louisville’s young people and creating pathways for them to build their futures right here at home.”
This positive progress can be seen across multiple KentuckianaWorks programs:
SummerWorks increased the number of youth jobs it funds by 40% in 2026.
The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Center, a partnership with Goodwill Kentucky, placed more than 350 young people in Louisville into jobs over the past year.
The JCPS Academies of Louisville, which is supported by KentuckianaWorks and One Louisville, now partners with more than 350 local businesses including all ten of Louisville’s largest employers.
Leaders from GE Appliances, which recently announced a $1 billion investment in its Appliance Park manufacturing site in Louisville, were on hand to show their support. “At GE Appliances, we’ve seen firsthand through programs like SummerWorks how investing in young people is a win-win for them and our company,” said Tami Hatfield, Executive Director of HR Supply Chain at GE Appliances. “Louisville is investing in its young people and developing local talent, and we’re proud to play an important role in that.”
The KentuckianaWorks College Access Center serves adults and youth who are interested in getting a college degree. They help clients complete their FAFSA and enrollment applications, search for scholarships, select the right school and program, learn about the job market, and more. All its services and support are free of charge. Learn more at KentuckianaWorks.org/KCAC.