PIPPA PASSES, Ky. (WYMT) - As southeastern Kentucky's job market continues to struggle, one area college is trying to combat the problem.

Alice Lloyd College recently secured a grant to help finance an entrepreneurial development program.

School officials are hoping by next fall the new Center for Entrepreneurial Development will be fully operational.

"You know what the job market is like right now," ALC president Joe Stepp said. "We are going to do all we can to help create some jobs, put some young entrepreneurs out there that can possibly start their own businesses."

The school's business curriculum will be expanded, along with classroom space.

But students are not the only ones who may benefit. School officials want to begin offering workshops for local business owners.

"Accounting, marketing workshops, those types of things," said Dr. Lenore Pollard, a business professor. "That will help entrepreneurs with their businesses and maybe be more innovative in their thinking about what they can do with their future."

Since 83 percent of ALC graduates return to the region, this new business program could have mutual benefits.

"The jobs are dwindling," Stepp said. "And we've got to do our part, what we can do to help create jobs in our region."

The facility upgrades alone will cost $1.5 million.

ALC received a matching grant from the James Graham Brown Foundation that will match up to $600 thousand dollars raised by the school. Ergo, ALC could get up to $1.2 million in aid.