Mar 12, 2023

CCCC to break ground on Technical Education and Innovation Center

Posted Mar 12, 2023 10:30 AM
<b>A rendering of what Cloud County Community College's Technical Education &amp; Innovation Center will look like.</b> Rendering courtesy CCCC
A rendering of what Cloud County Community College's Technical Education & Innovation Center will look like. Rendering courtesy CCCC

CCCC

CONCORDIA - Cloud County Community College has announced that it will host a groundbreaking for its new Technical Education & Innovation Center later this month.

The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 29 on the site of the new building, along College Drive between the college and Walmart. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

“I am honored and excited to celebrate the groundbreaking of this monumental facility,” said Cloud County President Amber Knoettgen. “It is a culmination of the dedication and collaboration of our local and statewide partners who support maintaining a vibrant workforce for rural Kansas.”

The now $18 million center will house Renewable Energy, which includes Wind and Solar Energy and Drones; Nursing and Allied Health, which also offers high-demand career education for EMT, CNA, CMA, Home Health Aide, and IV Therapy; and Agriculture and Industrial Technology, including welding and CDL training.

“The Cloud County Community College Foundation is pleased to support the Technical Education & Innovation Center,” said Heather Gennette, Foundation executive director. “This state-of-the-art facility will benefit not only our students, but allow Cloud to continue as a leader in providing a highly trained and qualified workforce.”

Funding for the center has come from the following partners and grants: $4 million in ARPA funds; $1 million from the Sunderland Foundation; $500,000 from The Patterson Family Foundation; $1 million from Salina Regional Health Center and Foundation; $1.5 million from the Cloud County Foundation Board; $40,500 in tax credits; $10,000 from ITC Holdings; and $10,000 from Central National Bank.

Construction of the new 33,725-square-foot center will begin in April. The center is expected to begin serving students in fall 2024. McCownGordon Construction is serving as general contractor on the project.