JWCC Trustees Hear Report on Building and Expansion Projects
The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees heard a special report on the Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility and the Workforce Development Center Expansion Project during its regular meeting Wednesday evening, March 16, at the Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield.
The Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility is in the final stages of fundraising and construction. The facility will open for classes this Fall 2022 semester. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for August 9, 2022. The Orr Corporation is leading this privately funded project; $1.9 million of the $2.5 million target goal has been raised to date. The 24,000-square-foot is located at the University of Illinois Agricultural Research & Demonstration Center and the JWCC Agricultural Education Center in Baylis, Illinois. The building will address multiple agricultural education and development issues in West Central Illinois and will further enhance research, teaching and U of I Extension activities throughout the region.
The Orr Corporation Board Chair Matt Bradshaw shared, “This facility epitomizes the Orr Corporation’s 40+ years of dedication to agriculture research and education. We look forward to John Wood Community College, the University of Illinois and numerous other local and state groups use of this facility to improve our rural communities.” For more information and to donate to this important project, please contact Matt Bradshaw at 217.779.4166.
The Workforce Development Center (WDC) Expansion Project is a 14,170 square foot expansion at JWCC’s WDC site located at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy. The project is supported by a federal grant and will include a new Truck Driving Training addition, expansion of the east side including a new physical building entrance, expanded space for HVAC, and Business and Industry. A remodel of the current interior of the building will include expanded space for welding, industrial maintenance and manufacturing, robotics and automation, and flexible use-space for new programs such as a virtual reality lab. A new vehicle road entrance off 42nd Street will be added, leading to an expanded parking area.
The plan is to go-out for bids next month, with the contract and construction beginning in June 2022. The project is estimated to be complete by October 2023.
“These new facilities demonstrate John Wood’s continued commitment to the Tri-State region,” JWCC President Michael Elbe stated. “With strategic focus and long-term planning, the College presents the district we serve with excellent opportunities to provide programs to support the workforce needs of the area and to have a greater impact in our rural communities and the agricultural industry.”
In other business, the board:
Authorized submission of a $55,000 grant application to the Illinois State Library/Jess White Secretary of State for the Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant.
Accepted a three-year contract to provide independent audit services from Wipfli, LLP with an option of a two-year extension, for a five-year total cost in the amount of $228,700.
Approved to file the fiscal year 2021 preliminary draft audit report as presented from the firm Wipfli, LLP.
Accepted a $77,451 proposal from Associate Controls & Design – Option #2 for the automated rigging system in the auditorium.
The next regular meeting of the JWCC Board of Trustees is April 20, at 6 p.m. at JWCC’s Quincy campus.
Picture: Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility
