The momentum has been building for years, and the doors are about to open on a unique opportunity for high school and adult learners alike.
The grand opening of the Amplify Hancock Innovation Center is just around the corner, and a new Career and Technical Education district was approved this month by the state of Indiana so Hancock County students for all four school districts will benefit.
The center, located at Hancock County Roads 200 West and 300 North, has been under construction for almost a year, but has been decades in the making.
Greenfield-Central Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin says while similar higher education projects have been discussed and shelved over the years, the Amplify project is an incredible opportunity for Hancock County that came together with the right people at the right time.
Since 2023, the four public school corporations have been sharing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and students have traveled to attend class based on their preferred program.
With the new building, all programs will be under one roof.
Additionally, Ivy Tech Community College and Hancock Health will have classes on site, providing opportunities for adult learners.
It’s all thanks to the many educators, elected officials and businesses that worked together to make the dream of a higher education facility a reality.
“The Hancock County school corporations have worked cooperatively and collaborated well for the last few years,” Olin said. “I want to share my gratitude to the Hancock County elected officials– commissioners, council and Redevelopment Commission– community partners and my peers in education. Amplify is unlike anything else in our state, and I take great pride in that.”
Set for economic impact
Stan Wilkison feels right at home giving a tour of the 106,000 square-foot facility.
It’s no wonder: He’s given more than 180 tours of the facility since October.
So many people are curious to see what it’s all about, from high school students eager to take their first course; to parents excited their children will have powerful opportunities; to local elected officials optimistic about the economic impact; to state and federal representatives, passionate about the future.
“The whole premise is economic impact, and what better way to do that than through education and training?” Wilkison said.
Wilkison came to the project as an administrator for Mt. Vernon schools, having also worked in career and technical education around the state.
He is now director of the Amplify building, which will house classrooms for Ivy Tech, Hancock Health, and the Hancock County Career Center, also known as HC3.
HC3 is where the high school students will go. There is 30,000 square feet of classroom space for local teens looking to get a jump start on their careers through the new CTE district.
Programs at HC3 will include aviation management; carpentry; criminal justice; emergency medical services; heating/air conditioning; pre-nursing; and welding. These long-standing programs are being moved from local high schools to the Amplify building. Greenfield-Central High School, for example, hosted the heating and cooling program for years, but everything has been moved to Amplify.
Brand-new programs for high school students at the Amplify building will be automotive collision repair; automotive service repair; dental careers; and electrical.
In total, 12 programs will be offered at HC3, all chosen because they are for high-demand, high-wage jobs.
“The collaboration among everyone has been phenomenal,” Wilkison said, walking through the facility as its final pieces of furniture were moved in. “This is hard not to be a part of– this is past due.”
Technology abounds: all classrooms are equipped with a smart board, speakers and audio enhancement. Many have lab space in addition to classroom space, as well as outdoor working areas.
The classrooms are designed to emulate real-world working environments. The pre-nursing areas, for example, feel just like a doctor’s office.
Interest and success
Interest in CTE programs has been growing among Hancock County high school students. The four corporations joined together to share CTE programs in 2023, when 164 students were enrolled across the four Hancock County high schools.
By the 2024 school year, there were 220; in 2025, 300 students.
This year, a projected 450 students will be taking classes at the new building.
Seeing students try something new and gain experience in careers is thrilling, Wilkison said. He loves student success stories and hearing gratitude from businesses that are accepting young workers ready for their careers.
Even so, students are safe to try what they think they might be interested in but then realize it’s not for them. That is success in its own way, Wilkison said, because they were able to try something new and learn about themselves.
“This gives them a place to test the waters before going into a field,” Wilkison said.
Students like Braylon Mumaugh are ready for the next step. An incoming senior at Greenfield-Central High School, Braylon Mumaugh will be studying the emergency medical program.
Braylon is fascinated with biomedical sciences and pharmaceuticals, so taking the EMT course will allow him to get more experience in emergency medicine.
“What excites me most about the facility is the new equipment available for science labs,” Mumaugh said. “I am super excited to be part of the first group to learn in the new HC3 center.”
Even adult learners have space at the new site.
Ivy Tech will have 14,000 square feet of space for classes and programs at the new Amplify building, and Hancock Health will have 4,000 square feet. The spaces for the adults will be separated from those for high school students, with different entry areas.
The building also holds 18,000 square feet of flexible space, with room for growth or improvements in the future.
A legacy in the making
The Amplify project is unique in many ways. The development of the project reflects the commitment and collaboration of many stakeholders. There was significant investment from county commissioners and a strong partnership among Greenfield-Central, New Palestine, Mt. Vernon and Eastern Hancock school districts, Wilkison said.
Local businesses and industry partners have also played an integral role in shaping and supporting the project, he added. This ensures programs align with workforce needs.
“Amplify provides education and workforce training opportunities for both high school students and adult learners, expanding access to career-focused education across the community,” Wilkison said. “HC3 is one of the newest career centers in the state to be constructed entirely from the ground up, designed to meet the needs of today’s students and employers.”
There is a buzz of excitement about the facility at Greenfield-Central High School, says Sarah Graham. As director of counseling for GCHS, Graham says many students and parents have already toured the new building and they’re proud to be a part of the new chapter in Hancock County’s history.
The last few years have been a collaborative bridge to the new career center, Graham added. Each county school did their part to host students, oversee staff and schedule excellent programming.
“These transition years have built a solid foundation that will help HC3 continue to grow in the years to come,” Graham said.
Moving into one building will be a huge benefit for all Hancock County CTE students, Graham added. Students will experience a culture of a building they can call their own. It will also help with transportation, scheduling and continued involvement in extracurriculars at their district school.
And the new building is simply stunning.
“It really is top notch,” Graham said. “I think students will feel like they are walking onto a professional campus. The atmosphere will create pride, ownership, and community. It really is a great accomplishment and legacy in the making for Hancock County.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
