Staff writer
It was just a ceremony Sept. 10, when Hillsboro leaders and representatives of Kansas Department of Commerce and Butler Community College gathered at the soon-to-be-opened BCC welding school at Hillsboro.
A ceremonial signing to receive a $100,000 grant from the department of commerce kept the momentum going for a new welding school program. Remodeling of a portion of the former AMPI building, now owned by the City of Hillsboro, has begun with classes anticipated to begin Oct. 15.
BCC has committed to at least a three-year program, offering two, eight-week classes with a maximum of 15 students per class.
“This is not a Hillsboro project,” Phil Wyssenbach, president of Hillsboro Industries, said. Wyssenbach was one of the key players who expressed a need for a welding school.
He thanked the City of Hillsboro for “picking up the ball” and helping make this project a reality.
Mike Beene, regional director of Kansas Department of Commerce, commended the city for providing a facility and the college for providing the program.
Following the ceremony, officials and community leaders took a tour of the facility.
A large area has been designated for the welding training area. A separate classroom facility also is planned.
David Tucker, a BCC instructor from Eureka, will be the lead instructor for the class. Tucker has been a welder for many years, own