COCC breaks ground on $8 million Manufacturing Center expansion

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- Central Oregon Community College has broken ground on an estimated $8 million expansion and renovation of its Manufacturing Center.

The project comes amid growing regional demand for skilled labor and heightened student enrollment in technical fields. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that Oregon's welding workforce will expand by 15% between 2022 and 2032. COCC reported a 12% increase in seats taken for manufacturing degrees and certificates during the current academic term.

The project features a 34,300-square-foot remodel of existing manufacturing technology labs, which will expand computer numerical control (CNC) labs and add classroom space for product design and quality control. Additionally, a 6,500-square-foot expansion will house enlarged welding and fabrication labs to increase student capacity and support large-scale projects. Students in the program will train on equipment similar to machinery used by local manufacturers.

Greg Pereira serves as president of COCC and emphasized the college's focus on regional workforce demands. “The goal is really about meeting the demand for manufacturing,” Pereira said. “What we know about Central Oregon and about Redmond in particular, is the abundance of new jobs in manufacturing, growth and homebuilding. COCC is at the forefront of where that education is going.”

Funding for the project combines $4 million from COCC general funds with a $4 million matching grant from Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Additional expenses will be covered through fundraising efforts.