GADSDEN– Gadsden State Community College has received a $200,000 Retool Your School grant to expand its Valley Street Campus Dental Assisting facility.
The college is among 10 institutions receiving 2026 Campus Improvement Grants through The Home Depot’s Retool Your School program. The project will enclose an existing patio, creating more space for students and community activities.
Plans include dedicated areas for studying, collaboration, meal breaks, and advising. In addition, the expansion will provide space for equipment and program operations.
College President Alan Smith said the investment will support student success, workforce development, and community service. He also expressed appreciation for The Home Depot’s support of the campus and its students.
Improvements are expected to include accessibility upgrades that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and energy-efficient storefront windows. Plans also call for upgraded heating and cooling ductwork, lighting, and electrical systems.
Together, those changes will improve the facility’s safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and functionality, according to the college. The expansion will also create opportunities for preventive-care outreach, workshops, and other services for underserved communities.
Gadsden State says its Dental Assisting program is the only program of its kind within the college’s service area. Meanwhile, Valley Street Campus Director Ricky Tillis said the improvements will benefit both students and faculty.
“This grant is a tremendous investment in the Valley Street Campus and, most importantly, in our students,” Tillis said.
Other campus improvements are also underway, including instructional and technology upgrades. Roof and gutter replacement at the Administration Building is also underway. Other projects include renovations to Licensed Practical Nursing and Cybersecurity classrooms.
Instead of constructing a new building, the college will renovate existing space to address growth and infrastructure needs.
Retool Your School supports historically Black colleges and universities and under-resourced colleges nationwide. Gadsden State reports that The Home Depot has invested more than $18 million through the initiative since 2009.
“These improvements are about more than updating a facility,” Tillis said. “They are about creating spaces where our students can learn, prepare for meaningful careers and better serve the communities around them.”
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