Upper Valley Career Center officials and students are joined by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, eighth from left, and U.S. Congressman Warren Davidson, second from left, as they broke ground for an $18M expansion project at the school on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Other officials including State Rep. Tim Barhorst as well as officials from across the area who joined in the celebration. The event included tours of some of the classrooms. The expansion is expected to be completed in October 2025.
Kathleen Leese | For Miami Valley Today
PIQUA — Upper Valley Career Center (UVCC) broke ground Wednesday, Sept. 4, on an $18M expansion project.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Congressman Warren Davidson (R, District 8), State Rep. Tim Barhorst (R, District 85) and several local legislators and partners gathered at the career center’s groundbreaking ceremony.
This project, made possible by the state of Ohio’s Career Technical Construction Program, will greatly benefit several of UVCC’s programs including Medical Careers Academy, First Responders Academy, sports medicine, construction technologies, electrical trades, robotics & automation, building maintenance, and manufacturing and machining technologies, said an UVCC press release.
“Today, as we break ground on the next phase of Upper Valley Career Center’s journey, we are not just expanding our physical space—we are expanding the possibilities for future students,” said Superintendent Jason Haak. “Upper Valley Career Center has reached capacity in several program areas and has exhausted options for any additional on-campus programming in our facility.”
This expansion, which increases the overall footprint of the career center by 20%, will allow for over 150 new students annually.
Husted spoke to attendees about the importance of career tech education in the state of Ohio.
“The skills you are developing and learning are the skills employers in your area need. They are in demand; in manufacturing, electrical, in construction, robotics and automation, in health sciences and certainly first responders,” he said.
Senior Deanna Rodeheffer expressed what this groundbreaking meant to her as a student.
“This expansion means that more students will have the chance to engage in real-world projects, gain valuable skills, and explore career paths that directly align with their interests and goals,” she said. “It’s not just about adding seats in a classroom; it’s about addressing the growing demand for career-ready graduates.”
The estimated completion for this project is October 2025, just in time for the career center’s 50th anniversary.
Located in Piqua, UVCC offers over 25 career and technical education programs to both high school students and adults. UVCC serves students from multiple school districts in the Miami Valley region, providing hands-on training, industry certifications, and pathways to post-secondary education and careers. With a commitment to student success and innovation, UVCC is dedicated to providing the highest quality and most technologically advanced educational opportunities for students in a professional, caring environment while networking with the communities we serve.
For more information about UVCC and its programs, visit https://www.uppervalleycc.org/ .
