It’s already been released to the public, but officials with the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Monday afternoon took in a four-minute promotional video mini-update of the consolidated Christian County Tigers high school — as part of a discussion around the growth of SWK Ignite.
Still on track to be completed by spring 2026, and open to students soon after, the footage showed a quickly developing property — as well as a few notes about expectation.
The video also doubly confirmed a 327,000 square-foot facility capable of holding 2,500 students at the onset, with anticipated enrollment of 2,100 on opening day two years from now. Also marketed in the footage: both a multi-purpose and competitive gymnasium, massive parking zones and loading/unloading bus zones, cameras, alarms and secure entry ways — and zero need for students to pass each other outside in order to change classes.
Dr. Jason Wilson, CCPS district technology director, said he will continue to be by the construction “almost daily” until its finish, and noted so much has changed even since the video was produced and released.
Much like the $10 million renovation of Trigg County’s Career and Technical Education building, Executive Director Carter Hendricks called the consolidation “one of the more exciting” projects in the region — particularly because of its potential to create students more prepared for the future.
Furthermore, Hendricks said his agency’s initiative, SWK Ignite, will only continue to target the average 40% of high schoolers in the tri-county area who annually aren’t going into the military or some form of college.
This targeting begins with partnerships, and the co-mingling of students seeking new opportunity after graduation, and industry leaders needing capable young employees.
Tony Prim, SWK associate director, as well as Todd County Central Superintendent Mark Thomas, noted the program is gaining popularity on both sides of the union.
Sandra Hancock, CCPS student transition coordinator, said SWK Ignite also marries well with the newly-created “Jobs Fest,” which brings in those graduating seniors from Trigg, Christian and Todd counties into a regional job fair. Its third iteration will run next spring, just before Hopkinsville Community College announces another HOPFAME class of industrial learners.
In the Second Annual “Jobs Fest,” more than 100 students came through — many of them following leads to a local career.
