NASHVILLE, Tenn. – House Majority Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, has secured $500,000 in state funding for the Cocke County School District. The funds will be used for the Innovation Center, which offers students opportunities to explore various trades through hands-on experience and technical skills training. “The Innovation Center provides students with several impressive learning […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – House Majority Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, has secured $500,000 in state funding for the Cocke County School District.
The funds will be used for the Innovation Center, which offers students opportunities to explore various trades through hands-on experience and technical skills training.
“The Innovation Center provides students with several impressive learning experiences to get them engaged and excited about school. I’ve had the pleasure of touring the facility, and it’s easy to see why it’s a weekly highlight for so many kids, including my son Tucker,” said Faison. “Demonstrating the benefits of trades to children will play a major role in improving educational outcomes and career preparedness in the Volunteer State. I’m grateful to my colleagues for recognizing the importance of this program and I look forward to witnessing the incredible impact these funds will have in our community.”
The Cocke County Innovation Center opened its doors in January 2025 to deliver high-quality career and technical education (CTE) to students. It includes opportunities to learn more about trade careers, including hospitality and tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, information technology, health care, culinary arts and criminal justice.
The new CTE center is part of the county’s curriculum and seeks to prepare students for success after graduation. Research indicates that students involved in CTE have higher academic achievement and are more likely to be employed after high school.
The appropriated funds are part of a $59.8 billion balanced budget passed by lawmakers in April. Republican priorities include significant investments to improve academic outcomes, provide disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene, enhance public safety for all Tennesseans and increase funding to address transportation infrastructure needs.
Republicans have increased annual state funding for CTE programs by 240% since 2012. This investment has helped boost overall CTE enrollment by 16% and the number of students in three or more CTE courses by 188%, providing invaluable access to skills training and workforce preparation.
Tennessee Republicans have invested 4.4 billion new dollars in public education over the last decade and provided more than $1 billion in teacher pay raises during the same time. This year’s budget includes $244 million to strengthen education through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula growth, including teacher pay raises, and $198.4 million for teacher bonuses.
State Rep. Jeremy Faison of Cosby represents District 11 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes Cocke and part of Hamblen and Jefferson counties.