Claudia Kirk Bartow, executive director of the West Palm Beach Center for Arts and Technology, addressed the CRA during public comment on Aug. 4, 2025, to announce the nonprofit's move to a new facility at 819 Sapodilla and to request inclusion in CRA or city budget support.

Bartow described WPB CAT's mission and partners: "Our mission is to inspire, motivate, prepare youth, and adults for meaningful careers through innovative arts and technology programs," she said. She told the board WPB CAT currently supports about 100 high school students annually through partnerships with Youth Empowered to Prosper and the school district and said the center also runs adult workforce training in culinary arts, hospitality, construction, medical fields and technology.

Nut graf: Bartow asked the CRA and city to consider funding as the nonprofit scales programming at its new Sapodilla facility, and she listed community partners and proposed employer partners the center is already working with.

Bartow said WPB CAT will launch a tech-empowerment program with two minority-owned businesses, Nerd Alert and Tech Hustle, and is working with Recipes for Success, the Palm Beach County Chefs Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, and potentially Habitat for Humanity on training and placement. "We are actively seeking funding," she said, and asked the board to consider "supporting 1 student, 1 job, and 1 success story at a time."

Ending: Bartow closed by thanking the board and noting WPB CAT is a finalist in a Black Chamber of Commerce people'choice award; she provided contact information and encouraged commissioners to reach out for more details on program needs and budget requests.