PIERRE, S.D. – Hamlin School District has been awarded $1.2 million to equip its new career and technical education (CTE) facility.

Hamlin is currently constructing a CTE facility. The state-of-the-art facility will support programs including architecture and construction, manufacturing, health science, and hospitality. The grants will be used to purchase welding and construction equipment, health care simulators, commercial food service equipment, and more. This equipment will provide students with hands-on experiences, giving them the opportunity to align their education with future post-secondary programs and high-demand careers.

These grants will impact more school districts as well. Hamlin’s partnering districts, Estelline and Arlington, will have access to the cutting-edge resources and opportunities provided by the facility. This collaborative approach ensures a broader reach of quality CTE education to students in multiple districts.

“These CTE grants will have a positive impact for years to come,” said Secretary of Education Joseph Graves. “They are an investment not only in the students of Hamlin, Estelline, and Arlington school districts, but also in the future of South Dakota. The grants ensure that South Dakota students will have bright, productive futures, and that our state will continue to be a powerhouse of industry, health care, and tourism for generations.”

This is the first grant provided under Senate Bill 59 from the 2023 legislative session, which provided $5 million for school districts or multi-districts to purchase equipment for new or existing CTE programs.

As South Dakota continues to invest in the future of its students, the Department of Education has scheduled a second round of collaborative equipment grants in Spring 2024. Letters of intent will be accepted starting in January. For detailed information about the grant program and application process, visit the DOE’s CTE Collaborative Equipment Grants page.

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