“Building Tomorrow’s Workforce” campaign enters public phase

New campus building
A rendering of the new Workforce Education Center.

BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Office of Communications

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College President Terry Leas and BBCC Foundation Director LeAnne Parton have announced that Big Bend’s “Building Tomorrow’s Workforce” campaign has entered the public phase of its fundraising effort.

The campaign, which was put in place to support the second-story construction of the college’s new Workforce Education Center, has a fundraising goal of $3.75 million. To date, the college’s foundation has either spoken to, called, emailed, or submitted grants to 135 businesses and individuals in the local community and secured $2,821,787 from 65 businesses and individuals.

Big Bend received $35 million from the state’s college capital projects fund to complete the first floor of the new 123,000 square-foot facility, and decided to try to raise the money to complete the second floor during the initial construction phase.

“We are excited about the public phase of our campaign, there are still naming opportunities available as a family legacy or for your business,” said Parton. “What a great way to have an impact on the next generation; education changes lives, you can be part of the change.” 

Being able to complete the second floor concurrent with the initial construction phase would provide significant cost savings. The second floor of the facility will house the college’s Computer Science program and additional classrooms.

The college’s foundation is now asking for any individuals, businesses, or community groups who would like to help make an impact on the development of tomorrow’s workforce to contact them.

“Securing the remaining 25 percent of our campaign goal will ensure full use of the new Workforce Education Center to increase Big Bend’s capacity to meet the growing needs of existing employers and prospective employers,” said Leas. “Your investment now will deliver positive returns to communities in Grant, Adams, and Lincoln counties for years to come.”

The initial phase of the construction project has a substantial completion date of September 11.