LM Jan 2023_hi

The state-of-the-art facility has advanced

decades. Community leaders desired a non-traditional education experience for students that prepares them to enter the workforce and forge a successful career. A combination of good luck, hard work, a dedicated staff and community vision turned that dream into a reality. When it opened its doors to students in August 2022, 105 students from Mattoon and surrounding districts enrolled. By Year 3 or 4, Condron expects enrollment to more than double and reach its capacity of 420 students. “LIFT has provided our students, and students throughout the region, a pathway for new experiences and a better life,” Condron said. “We are incredibly excited for the future, and the potential it holds for our students and our region.” The benefits LIFT has for students only tells half the story. Perfect Partnership Located in Coles County about 50 miles south of Champaign and 30 miles north of Effingham, Mattoon’s history is tied to the railroad. The town’s name actually comes from the man who helped construct the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad in 1854. Over the years, Mattoon has also developed a strong presence of manufacturing, agriculture, education institutions and a burgeoning healthcare system. But there’s been a nagging problem. With a countywide population of just under 50,000, Coles County doesn’t have a large workforce to pull from. Condron and Christy Hild, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services in Mattoon CUSD #2, said the school district was a natural partner to help develop a pipeline of workers for area businesses. The district serves 3,059 students—64 percent of which come from low-income households. “A big part of the story of LIFT is about economic development,” Hild said. “Our businesses needed workers

robotics equipment, high powered manufacturing machines, a culinary institute, a communications studio, a CISCO lab and other 21st century luxuries not typically afforded to students in a rural area.

and wanted to partner with the school district. It’s been a great relationship and a win-win for everyone.” One of the main ingredients to LIFT’s success has been community involvement, Hild said. Over the years, different working groups were formed and, in total, around 150 community members made recommendations on everything from what skills job applicants need, what the facility and equipment should look like and what type of facilitators would make ideal instructors. The Mattoon Chamber of Commerce and Coles Together, a local economic development group, were also involved in researching local labor market trends. As a result, the project generated tremendous support and excitement from the community, making the financing a much easier sell. FinancingLIFT For years, the major hangup to opening LIFT had been securing or building a new facility. The district’s luck changed in February 2021 when the Lumpkin Family, owners of Consolidated Communications, opted to move out and sell its headquarters, located across the street from the administrative office. The company’s decision to move out was influenced heavily by the pandemic and an employee’s ability to work from home. While the price tag to renovate wasn’t cheap, it cost significantly less, around $12.5 million, than to build from the ground up. With the support of the Board of Education, a financing plan was developed that relied on County Schools

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LM January 2023