Grants issued in September to KCC support students, construction

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Article by Kurt Liedtke, public information officer, Klamath Community College

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Four significant grants awarded to Klamath Community College (KCC) during the month of September – totaling nearly $2.4 million – will support students, develop new programming, and complete fundraising for the campus’s newly constructed Apprenticeship Center.

Established in 1996, KCC has been consistently growing in recent years through expanding programs and facilities, most recently with completion of the KCC Apprenticeship Center and addition of a cosmetology program. The four grants, some covering multiple years of program operations, reflect KCC’s focused efforts on providing the best programming, direct student supports, modern facilities, and collaborative community work.

“It is important that we not only provide the best possible education and training for career opportunities, but that we make it affordable for those who desire to pursue these programs, and this funding accomplishes that,” said Dr. Roberto Gutierrez, KCC president. “Our ongoing pursuit of grant dollars directly contributes to providing the best facilities, instruction, and support possible to aid students seeking new, sustainable, quality career paths.”

Grants received by KCC include $900,000 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, supplementing its initial $3 million grant applied to Apprenticeship Center construction; with this award mitigating construction cost increases.

A third cycle of U.S. Department of Transportation funding, for $199,988, through the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) program was announced by the offices of Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. CMVOST grant funds will cover tuition and fees of up to 34 students through 2025 for commercial driver’s license and hazardous materials certification training, with a priority toward current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

The Oregon Health Authority has also notified KCC of its intent to award a Healthy Oregon Workforce Training Opportunity (HOWTO) grant of potentially $270,000 across three years for creation of a non-credit community health worker training and certification program to serve both Klamath and Lake counties. The grant will also provide supports for more than 80 students through an “earn to learn” structure. KCC is partnered with Cascade Health Alliance for development of this program.

KCC was also awarded $998,817 through the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Future Ready 

Oregon Workforce Ready program. This three-year project – done in partnership with local industry and employers – will provide workforce training and certification in welding and millwright manufacturing for up to 90 students. Grant funds will provide for hiring of additional instructors, student tuition, fees and supports, as well as workforce placement assistance.