Gadsden State receives $200,000 Home Depot Retool Your School grant for Valley Street Campus

Gadsden, Ala. — Gadsden State Community College has been awarded a $200,000 Campus Improvement Grant through The Home Depot’s Retool Your School program to support facility improvements at the Valley Street Campus.
 
Gadsden State was announced as one of 10 institutions selected to receive a 2026 Campus Improvement Grant. The funding will be used to expand and modernize facilities supporting the Dental Assisting program at the Valley Street Campus.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Home Depot and the Retool Your School program for this investment in our students and the Valley Street Campus,” said Alan Smith, president of Gadsden State. “This grant allows us to make meaningful improvements to an existing facility while creating additional space that supports student success, workforce development, and service to our community.”

The planned project will enclose an existing patio area at the Dental Assisting facility to create additional student support and community-use space. The expansion will provide dedicated areas for studying, collaboration, meal breaks, advising, equipment, and program operations.

Facility improvements are also expected to include ADA-compliant accessibility enhancements, energy-efficient storefront windows, upgraded HVAC ductwork, improved lighting and electrical enhancements. The project is designed to increase the safety, accessibility, energy efficiency and functionality of the facility while providing an improved environment for students and employees.

The Dental Assisting program at Gadsden State is the only program of its kind within the College’s service area and plays an important role in preparing students for careers in healthcare. The expanded facility will also create opportunities for preventive-care outreach, workshops, and other services benefiting underserved communities.

“This grant is a tremendous investment in the Valley Street Campus and, most importantly, in our students,” said Ricky Tillis, director of the Valley Street Campus. “The additional space and facility improvements will give our students and faculty a more functional environment for teaching, learning, and collaboration while allowing us to continue strengthening a program that prepares students to enter the healthcare workforce. We are excited to see the lasting impact these improvements will have on our campus and the community we serve.”

The project builds on other improvements underway at the Valley Street Campus, including instructional and technology upgrades, roof and gutter replacement at the Administration Building and renovations to the Licensed Practical Nursing and Cybersecurity classrooms.  By improving and expanding an existing facility rather than constructing a new building, Gadsden State will maximize the impact of the grant while addressing enrollment growth and infrastructure needs.

The Retool Your School program was established by The Home Depot to provide support for campus improvement projects at historically Black colleges and universities. Since its creation, the initiative has provided millions of dollars in grants to participating institutions.

Now in its 17th year, Retool Your School supports Historically Black Colleges & Universities and under-resourced colleges nationwide. Since 2009, The Home Depot has invested over $18 million in campus improvements, supporting large‑scale projects designed to deliver long‑term benefits for students, faculty and staff.

“We look forward to seeing the impact this investment will have on our students and the Valley Street community,” Tillis said. “These improvements are about more than updating a facility. They are about creating spaces where our students can learn, prepare for meaningful careers and better serve the communities around them.”


Pictured from left are Ricky Tillis, director of the Valley Street Campus; Alan Smith, president of Gadsden State Community College; and Tony Smith, Alabama Power Company manager of customer service, and president of the Cardinal Foundation Board, receiving a check during a special event in Atlanta.