Breaking Ground, Building Futures

The recent groundbreaking ceremony at TCAT Nashville was more than just a construction milestone—it celebrated growth, opportunity, and innovation. The event marked the start of construction on three new buildings: Building Trades, Manufacturing, and Aviation & Auto Collision. Together, these facilities will add an impressive 99,061 square feet of modern learning spaces to the campus.

This exciting addition follows the Allied Health building groundbreaking last summer (photo below), where warm sunshine and first-aid-themed goodie bags set the tone. Now, the latest phase takes center stage as the new Aviation program joins the main campus, relocating from its previous site 10 minutes away.

Governor Bill Lee made a special appearance at the ceremony, praising the students as the driving force behind the project. In a heartfelt moment, he accepted a commemorative shovel crafted by TCAT students—symbolizing their pivotal role in shaping the future of Tennessee's workforce.

The day wasn’t just about speeches and stats—it was about community and creativity. Attendees walked away with TCAT-themed goodies, including mugs, cozy pom-pom beanies, and versatile construction tools (perfect for the next DIY project!). Despite the chilly weather, the atmosphere buzzed with warmth and excitement.

Here’s a quick look at the new buildings:

• Building Trades (32,952 sq. ft.) – Home to Building Construction, HVAC, and Industrial Electricity programs.
• Manufacturing (31,706 sq. ft.) – Dedicated to Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool, and Welding programs.
• Aviation & Auto Collision (34,403 sq. ft.) – Featuring the relocated Aviation and Collision programs.

“We work on these projects every day and get lost in the details a little bit,” said Caroline Abel, one of our team members. “But when we go to the groundbreaking, we see that we put the client, the students, the users at the forefront—and they take center stage. It’s fun to see it coming together."

These projects are part of a larger statewide initiative by Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly to invest $1 billion in state funding. TCAT Nashville’s expansion represents just one of 33 groundbreaking events since last summer—evidence of Tennessee’s commitment to building a stronger, more skilled workforce. 

We’re proud to be part of this journey and excited to see these new spaces come to life. As a nod to the ongoing transformation, here’s a snapshot from the Allied Health groundbreaking—a reminder of how far this campus has come and what’s still ahead.