Bill Haslam

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. - Gov. Bill Haslam has announced an $843,000 grant for Northeast State Community College in Blountville to pay for equipment at the school's advanced technology programs.

The money comes out of a $16.5 million pool that the Legislature approved this year as part of the governor's effort to boost higher education attainment in Tennessee. About 32 percent of Tennesseans currently have certificates or degrees beyond high school. Haslam wants to increase that number to 55 percent by the year 2025.

The equipment will allow the community college to expand its robotics manufacturing training lab, add a mechatronics training lab and upgrade welding and machine tool equipment.

According to the governor, more than 200 advanced technology students a year will benefit from the equipment upgrades funded through the grant.