The North Central Kansas Technical College is setting sights on developing the Kansas Institute for Underground Construction. The idea is being discussed with representatives from Ditch Witch who manufacture a directional drilling tool used in utility construction.
At this time there is no training program for operation of drilling tools and the technical college would like to be the first to offer such a program and possibly begin a certification program.
School, state and community officials met at the college last week to discuss the ideas for the program in further detail. They hope something can be developed soon. The demand for underground construction is picking up and is expected to be good in the year 2011.
The Institute for Underground Construction would not only include training in directional drilling. It would also cover topics including utility locating, OSHA Regulations, CDL training and a variety of other subjects addressing the needs of the underground construction industry.
We would like to thank the representatives from Ditch Witch who attended the meeting and provided their insight of the industry. This partnership can help formulate a program that benefits both the school and the industry.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Shaping Our Future with the North Campus Development
Unfortunately we don't have a crystal ball and can't take a clear look into the future. But in Economic Development we always have to look forward as far as we can to identify what can be done for continued growth and sustainability of our businesses and our community.
Work is underway to redefine and set a new direction for the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility. To begin the facility is now being referred to as the "North Campus Development" which is a way of looking forward and setting our sights on the future.
The City of Beloit and Mitchell County are working together right now on developing plans to "re purpose" at least one building on the campus. The Morning View building is a hard-cell, lock-down, jail facility that was designed to house juvenile female offenders. It is going to become the future home of the Beloit Police Department, Mitchell County Sheriff's Department and it will serve as our jail for adult prisoners. This step is expected to be a long term move for our local law enforcement personnel.
The City of Beloit is expected to take another step in working with officials from USD 273 to utilize the "North High School" building on the campus.
Mitchell County Partnership for Children and The Early Learning Center have occupied two buildings on the campus for the past several years and it's anticipated they will have contracts from the City to keep them there as well.
Efforts are underway to find other purposes for the remaining buildings. Each step is being considered very carefully.
Taking a broader look at the "North Campus Development", opens the doors to many opportunities for our community. There are nearly 50 acres of undeveloped land. Portions of the land provide frontage on highway 24 that could be utilized for key retail services. This land could also provide space for lighter commercial uses, multi-family residential development and much needed single family housing development.
This will all take careful planning. And that is what is currently being done with specific attention given to the location of existing roads and utilities. An examination of how those can be extended to serve the existing campus facilities and extend into the undeveloped property for future growth.
These items must be studied carefully and not rushed. The direction taken today could set the course for the future of our community for the next 40 years. When you consider the former juvenile correctional facility was planned and developed over 120 years ago. Then 40 years really doesn't seem like such a long time. But it's an important timeline because what is done today and in the next few years will set a new direction for our community that will have a long lasting impact on our future.
Work is underway to redefine and set a new direction for the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility. To begin the facility is now being referred to as the "North Campus Development" which is a way of looking forward and setting our sights on the future.
The City of Beloit and Mitchell County are working together right now on developing plans to "re purpose" at least one building on the campus. The Morning View building is a hard-cell, lock-down, jail facility that was designed to house juvenile female offenders. It is going to become the future home of the Beloit Police Department, Mitchell County Sheriff's Department and it will serve as our jail for adult prisoners. This step is expected to be a long term move for our local law enforcement personnel.
The City of Beloit is expected to take another step in working with officials from USD 273 to utilize the "North High School" building on the campus.
Mitchell County Partnership for Children and The Early Learning Center have occupied two buildings on the campus for the past several years and it's anticipated they will have contracts from the City to keep them there as well.
Efforts are underway to find other purposes for the remaining buildings. Each step is being considered very carefully.
Taking a broader look at the "North Campus Development", opens the doors to many opportunities for our community. There are nearly 50 acres of undeveloped land. Portions of the land provide frontage on highway 24 that could be utilized for key retail services. This land could also provide space for lighter commercial uses, multi-family residential development and much needed single family housing development.
This will all take careful planning. And that is what is currently being done with specific attention given to the location of existing roads and utilities. An examination of how those can be extended to serve the existing campus facilities and extend into the undeveloped property for future growth.
These items must be studied carefully and not rushed. The direction taken today could set the course for the future of our community for the next 40 years. When you consider the former juvenile correctional facility was planned and developed over 120 years ago. Then 40 years really doesn't seem like such a long time. But it's an important timeline because what is done today and in the next few years will set a new direction for our community that will have a long lasting impact on our future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
