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Northwest Kansas Tech seeks federal funds, reports enrollment gains and plans maker space
Summary
Ben Shears told the commission that Northwest Kansas Technical College is nearing an affiliation with Fort Hays State, reported about a 9% enrollment increase, and said the college has requested $1.75 million in congressional directed spending to rehabilitate Building 1008 into a community-facing maker space and advanced manufacturing lab.
Ben Shears, introduced by the commission, briefed members on major developments at Northwest Kansas Technical College. Shears said the college is completing an affiliation process with a university partner and awaiting final authorization from the Higher Learning Commission, expected in late June or early July. He said the affiliation will result in a change in branding and governance arrangements and noted the institution has operated locally since 1964.
Shears reported enrollment growth — "we were up about 9% enrollment" — and said the college has added or is adding programs, including CDL and a power-sports technician program for UTVs/ATVs, and that local employers are engaging with students. He described plans to create a community-accessible maker space and advanced manufacturing lab (3D printers, milling and multi-axis CNC equipment, carpentry tools) to support regional small-business development and workforce training, and said the engineering faculty will lead the project’s design.
On facility needs, Shears said Building 1008 needs substantial structural work: a west-wall crack and other issues lead to an estimate of roughly $700,000 to make the building habitable (new footings, basement fill, replacement of interior floors and roofing). For program- and finish-level work he said the college has submitted a congressional directed spending request for $1,750,000 to fund full rehabilitation and program build-out.
Shears also described a base operating grant the college secured to purchase equipment and hire an instructor for a CDL program and said partners such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be engaged in the maker space.
Commissioners thanked Shears and congratulated the college on enrollment increases. Shears said the college would continue pursuing grants and funding and would work with the city on signage and community coordination related to the affiliation.
Next steps noted in the meeting included awaiting the Higher Learning Commission decision, continuing fundraising including the congressional request, and coordinating any campus or community signage changes with the city.
