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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

CBHE Recommends State Funding for OTC's Center for Advanced Manufacturing

OTC

A project at Ozarks Technical Community College’s Springfield campus has been ranked by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education as the board’s number one capital funding priority for Fiscal Year 2020.

According to OTC, the board Wednesday voted for budget recommendations that ranked the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) as the number one priority.  It recommended $5 million in state funds go toward CAM as part of its overall budget request of $55.8 million for workforce initiatives in the state.

The recommendations must be voted on by the legislature and approved by Governor Mike Parson.

Voters passed two property tax levies in April, in part, to construct the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, which OTC hopes to open in the fall of 2022.

OTC plans to offer education in subjects, such as robotics, mechatronics and 3D printing. Besides courses and education designed for degree-seeking students, the CAM will offer continuing education for people already working in the manufacturing field. And, there are plans for the facility to allow companies to conduct research and testing of new equipment and processes.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.