The Anniston Board of Education heard from Lorie Denton, director of CREATE Technology and Innovation Center, during its Thursday meeting. Denton detailed CREATE's rapid development and its role in fostering workforce partnerships across the region.

"I'm here to tell you that in my years of living in Calhoun County, this is the first time that I have ever been able to say constantly that we have turned regional partnerships among our municipalities as well as our school systems and everyone is working together to make sure that this region continues to grow and be as successful as it can," Denton said.