Summary:
$3.6 million state grant funds complete renovation of historic Burt Innovation Center for student entrepreneurship programs
New Founders Inc. program enables high school students to launch businesses and earn credit using INCubatoredu curriculum
Facility expansion includes 5 makerspace classrooms, esports room, and product pitch stage for hands-on learning
21,336 square feet of renovations funded entirely by Tennessee Innovative Schools grant without local taxpayer dollars
Historic building transitions from segregated school to cutting-edge innovation hub with completion scheduled for 2026-27 school year
From Segregated School to Innovation Powerhouse
The Burt Innovation Center is currently undergoing comprehensive renovations and a 2,300 square foot expansion that will transform this historic Clarksville, Tennessee facility into a cutting-edge hub for student entrepreneurship and innovative education models.
A $3.6 Million Transformation
"This is a renovation of 21,336 square feet of space at a cost of $3.681 million," announced Norm Brumblay, CMCSS chief operations officer. "The best part? This project is being funded through a Tennessee Innovative Schools grant. So, not local dollars."
Historic Roots Meet Modern Innovation
Named after Dr. Robert Tecumseh Burt, the facility originally opened in 1952 as a segregated high school for Black students. After serving as an elementary school for decades, the building is now being repurposed to serve as the new home of Middle College at Austin Peay State University and other innovative educational programs.
Founders Inc.: Student Entrepreneurship Program
The centerpiece of the renovation is Founders Inc., a groundbreaking student entrepreneurship program that will enable CMCSS juniors and seniors to:
- Launch real businesses
- Create innovative products
- Offer professional services
- Explore social entrepreneurship
All while earning high school credit through the INCubatoredu curriculum.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The Founders Inc. wing will feature an impressive array of modern facilities:
- 5 makerspace classrooms for hands-on creation
- 2 collaborative conference rooms for team meetings
- 2 team prep rooms for strategy sessions
- Modern offices and administrative spaces
- A dedicated esports room for competitive gaming
- Prep kitchen for culinary ventures
- Large multi-purpose product pitch space with stage for presentations
Comprehensive Building Improvements
Beyond the educational spaces, the project includes significant infrastructure upgrades:
- Complete window replacement
- Ballistic film installation for safety
- New fire alarm system
- Modernized parking lot
- Updated HVAC systems
Project Timeline and Impact
Renovations began after the facility transitioned from Burt Elementary to the Burt Innovation Center in May 2024. The $2 million renovation and expansion project was officially approved in February 2025, with completion scheduled before the 2026-27 school year begins in August 2026.
This transformation represents a significant investment in future entrepreneurs and innovative education, turning a historic educational facility into a modern incubator for young business leaders.
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