Our Ventures

Union College School of Nursing

Providing knowledge and training to better equip the healthcare system in Appalachia.

Community Ventures played a big role in the creation of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. Addressing a shortage of nurses in Appalachia, Community Ventures contributed $10 million in New Market Tax Credit allocations to assist in funding the $17 million project, with US Bank serving as the tax credit investor.

Nursing core classes began at Union College in the fall semester of 2014 after Union College received accreditation to establish a four-year Bachelor of Science nursing program. Located in the southeastern region of the state, the Union College School of Nursing and Health Sciences is the only program of its kind within fifty miles.

“There is a desperate need for baccalaureate-prepared nurses in our area, Union is proud to help fill the void.” – Lorene Putnam, dean of Union’s Department of Nursing and Health Sciences.