ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. -- Big news from Hardin County Schools...plans are being made to build an Early College and Career Center. Western Kentucky University is giving the district the land. It's adjacent to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

High school students in Hardin County will use the center to take courses in several career pathways. They include health science, engineering, manufacturing, automotive technology, and hospitality services. Students will even be able to walk to the community college to take classes. Western may offer evening classes in the center. The hope is to make it a smooth transition and encourage more kids to go to college.

Construction is expected to begin this spring. The hope is for the center to open in August 2014.