James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation Makes Historic $2 Million Gift to Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Published on Aug 31, 2026

Largest Philanthropic Gift in BCTC History Will Support New Regional Workforce Training Center in Winchester

Lexington, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College Foundation (BCTC) announced today a landmark $2 million commitment from the James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation, the largest single philanthropic gift in the college’s history.

The transformational investment will support the development of BCTC’s new workforce and healthcare education facility at 1919 Rolling Hills Lane in Winchester, which is being expanded into a regional hub for workforce training, nursing education, and allied health instruction. In recognition of the foundation’s historic generosity, BCTC will name the facility the James A. and Martha R. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center.

“This extraordinary gift represents a defining moment in the history of Bluegrass Community and Technical College,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, Chancellor of BCTC. “The James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation’s investment will strengthen workforce development across Central Kentucky, expand access to high-demand healthcare programs, and directly impact thousands of students, employers, and communities for generations to come.”

BCTC acquired the former Amazon Call Center facility in 2024 as part of a strategic expansion of its Winchester campus. The site is being transformed into a state-of-the-art Regional Workforce Training Center that will serve students and industry partners throughout the Bluegrass region. Upon completion, the center will house Kentucky’s first Regional Workforce Training Center, providing customized industry training through BCTC Workforce Solutions alongside advanced nursing and allied health laboratories, an immersive ambulance simulator, and flexible learning environments designed to meet evolving workforce and educational needs.

The project is designed to address critical workforce shortages and meet growing demand in sectors including manufacturing, skilled trades, healthcare, transportation, and industrial technology. The expanded campus will allow BCTC to more than double its nursing enrollment capacity on the Winchester campus, helping address Kentucky’s ongoing nursing workforce challenges.

“The legacy of Jim and Martha Brown is rooted in entrepreneurship, community service, advancing healthcare, and a deep commitment to strengthening Kentucky communities,” said Gavin Colton, Associate Vice Chancellor of Advancement for the BCTC Foundation. “The Brown Foundation’s investment reflects a shared vision for expanding educational opportunity and building a stronger workforce throughout the Commonwealth. We are honored by their partnership and confidence in BCTC’s mission.”

The James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation has a long history of supporting educational institutions and initiatives that create lasting community impact across Kentucky. Established in 2018, the foundation continues the Browns’ tradition of philanthropic leadership and civic engagement through investments that improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

“The James and Martha Brown Foundation is proud to be a partner in the formation of the BCTC Regional Workforce Training Center,” said Harry Richart of the Brown Foundation. “Supporting educational projects in Kentucky was always important to the Browns and we are delighted to perpetuate their priorities.” 

“The Brown Foundation’s leadership gift demonstrates what is possible when visionary philanthropy meets a critical community need,” Feeney said. “This investment will help prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals, nurses and allied health providers, and workforce leaders who will power Kentucky’s economy and improve the quality of life across our region.”