The Dallas County School system has received more than $120,000 of grant money to go toward the expansion of their Career Technical Center.

Dallas County School Superintendent of Education Don Willingham announced Monday during their regular school board meeting that the Alabama Department of Education received a letter April 14 notifying the school system they would be awarding them with a $69,365 grant for their industrial maintenance program and a $51,574 grant for their health science program.

“We’re excited about it,” Willingham said. “Money is so tight, and any grant opportunity we can get is wonderful, especially these where it’s mainly equipment upgrades.”

The $69, 365 grant will used to fund the system’s new industrial maintenance program, which will incorporate both the technical and mechanical components, Dallas County Career Tech Director Jerolene Williams said.

Equipment has been ordered and the necessary training is available, but they are still searching for teacher to instruct the program, Williams, who wrote both grant requests, said.

“The kids are excited about the program,” Williams said.

With financial assistance from the $51,574 grant and guidance from Wallace State Community College Selma, Dallas County Career Technical Center will improve their health science program by offering knowledge in biomedical science through a Project Lead the Way non-profit organization, Williams said.

She also said it’s a blessing that school system was awarded the grants.

“I felt like God had just smiled down on us,” Williams said. “So many people didn’t get theirs and I was one of the blessed ones to get it for the kids.”