Plans Coming Together for Rural Development Technology Center

Plans were announced Tuesday for the Effingham Regional Career Academy at the Lake Land College Rural Development Technology Center.

That's a mouthful, but the name is indicative of what the proponents are hoping to accomplish at the facility, which will be an expansion of the Lake Land College Kluthe Center in Effingham.

Altamont School Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch said, "We are a trailblazer; there's nowhere else in Illinois that's doing this the way we are."

(ALTAMONT UNIT 10 SUPERINTENDENT JEFF FRITCHTNITCH)

The goal is to make students and the existing workforce technically trained to step into jobs in businesses and industries located in Effingham County.

Effingham Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said, "Countywide, this is a collaborative group." Doan referred to the reality that all school districts in the county are working on the project, as is Lake Land, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Effingham, the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance and several area businesses.

(UNIT 40 SUPERINTENDENT MARK DOAN)

Doan reviewed other programs that have proved successful as evidence that the initiative will work. He mentioned the Health Occupations that has been in existence for 20 years, CEO, and the more recent projects including a Welding course available to the general public, and the Manufacturing Skills and Construction Trades classes that are getting into operation.

Joe Forbes, who is 2015 Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, is also President of Versatech, a growing local company that has a need for more skilled workers. Forbes said he is excited about the project. Forbes said, "We're finally moving forward, and it's exciting." 

The vision for the academy includes work study programs, seminars, boot camp and certification-based initiatives, as well as work study, job shadowing and apprenticeships.

When asked whether students will be targeted for the program, Fritchtnitch said it will be designed to serve the students; adding, "This is about blended learning."

As to Lake Land's interest in the project, the college has had a rural development technology center on its list of desired capital projects for 15 years. Lake Land President Josh Bullock said it would be a Lake Land building, but would be governed as a collaborative career academy. Bullock said supporters desire "a high quality program with state-of-the-art learning tools and a facility that would be flexible as to how it could be used.

(LAKE LAND COLLEGE PRESIDENT JOSH BULLOCK)

Another goal for Lake Land with the expansion is the opportunity to add "wet labs" to offer courses such as Chemistry. Bullock said having labs available in Effingham would enable the college to offer full associates degree programs in Effingham; no more trips to Mattoon to take lab courses.

As to what it would cost and how quickly could we see the academy, Bullock said the project would take $12 million and anywhere from 34-36 months to build. Fritchtnitch said they have already "reached out" to local state representatives and senators who are on board on the project, as well as Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti. Doan said, "We're working so we're ready when the call (regarding funding) comes from Springfield."

Lansing said work is underway on draft letters seeking support for the project. The letters will be distributed to business and education interests for mailing to Springfield.