DEWITT, Iowa – With the goal of supporting career and technical education training throughout the Quad Cities region, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) will celebrate the start of construction on the Clinton Community College Career Advancement Center in DeWitt on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
The 10 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public and includes a symbolic turning of the dirt with remarks. Parking for the event is available onsite along East Industrial Street.
Spanning six acres of land, the modern 26,000-square-foot facility will consist of two wings including one wing of classrooms. The other will offer a large, open space for industrial and agricultural instruction.
The construction comes as a part of the $40 million bond referendum that passed with a 73.9% voter approval in March 2021. The facility is scheduled to be open for use in summer 2023.
“The new Career Advancement Center aligns with our mission and meets the needs of our communities,” Clinton Community College (CCC) President Brian Kelly said in a news release. “This expansion marks the first time CCC has had a physical presence in DeWitt. We have had a tremendous amount of support from the community and look forward to providing opportunities to accessible, high-quality education and training that prepares a skilled workforce, ready for the demands of our area employers.”
Programs to be offered at the center include agriculture, business, construction technology, CNC machining, health care and information technology. Through EICC’s Career Academies, local high school juniors and seniors will be able to learn more about these high-demand industries at no cost.
“The community has seen many changes in our workforce over the past several years,” Mr. Kelly added. “This outstanding partnership with our school districts and local businesses will address a shifting workforce dynamic and provide additional opportunities for our community. We are excited to be a part of the solution.”
EICC has partnered with Estes Construction, Davenport, and Studio 483 Architects, Rock Island, on the build.
