By Eric Eyre
Staff writer
Architects have unveiled plans for a $15 million advanced technology training center in South Charleston, a project that's expected to become an integral part of the West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park.
Workers are scheduled to break ground this fall, and construction on the 50,000-square-foot building is expected to start early next year. Students will likely be taking classes in the facility by January 2012.
"This gives us a state-of-the-art facility that allows us to serve the needs of employers throughout the state," said Jim Skidmore, chancellor of West Virginia's community and technical colleges. "We did not have the capacity to offer the type of high-tech training that's needed."
The Advantage Valley Technology Training Center will host about 600 students and offer classes in fields such as nanotechnology, electrical mechanical technology (or mechatronics), information technology, digital analog circuitry and chemical processing.
The two-floor building - designed by E.T. Boggess Architect Inc. of Princeton - has about a dozen labs.
"The lab space and program offerings reflect discussions we've had with employers as we went through the development process," Skidmore said.
Most of the labs can be modified for customized training, depending on the demands of area employers or new businesses that locate in the region.
"We can move equipment in and out rather easily," said Bob Brown, chairman of the state Council for Community and Technical Colleges, which is overseeing the project. "The nice thing about this is we're able to modify the spaces to react to the needs of potential businesses."
By Eric Eyre
Staff writer
Architects have unveiled plans for a $15 million advanced technology training center in South Charleston, a project that's expected to become an integral part of the West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park.
Workers are scheduled to break ground this fall, and construction on the 50,000-square-foot building is expected to start early next year. Students will likely be taking classes in the facility by January 2012.
"This gives us a state-of-the-art facility that allows us to serve the needs of employers throughout the state," said Jim Skidmore, chancellor of West Virginia's community and technical colleges. "We did not have the capacity to offer the type of high-tech training that's needed."
The Advantage Valley Technology Training Center will host about 600 students and offer classes in fields such as nanotechnology, electrical mechanical technology (or mechatronics), information technology, digital analog circuitry and chemical processing.
The two-floor building - designed by E.T. Boggess Architect Inc. of Princeton - has about a dozen labs.
"The lab space and program offerings reflect discussions we've had with employers as we went through the development process," Skidmore said.
Most of the labs can be modified for customized training, depending on the demands of area employers or new businesses that locate in the region.
"We can move equipment in and out rather easily," said Bob Brown, chairman of the state Council for Community and Technical Colleges, which is overseeing the project. "The nice thing about this is we're able to modify the spaces to react to the needs of potential businesses."
A large atrium runs through the facility. There's also an outdoor learning area and circular parking lot with about 100 spaces.
The technology training center will stand near the research park's front entrance on the campus' northeast corner. State officials say the project could spur additional interest from companies thinking about moving to the tech park (formerly known as the Dow Tech Park).
The state Higher Education Policy Commission has agreed to take over 258 acres of tech park property by Dec. 15. Dow Chemical Co., which once housed its research operations at the site, is donating the land to the state.
In 2008, the state Legislature set aside money to build two technology training centers - one along Interstate 79 between Clarksburg and Morgantown, the other between Charleston and Huntington.
The site of the north-central West Virginia training center is expected to be announced later this year.
The South Charleston center will be operated by Bridgemont (former WVU-Tech), Kanawha Valley (former West Virginia State), and MountWest (former Marshall) community and technical colleges.
Area companies, including tenants at the research park, also will be allowed to rent space for employee training at the facility.
The center will offer credit and non-credit courses, as well as certification classes.
Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.
