JWCC Trustees hear report on Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility groundbreaking

The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees heard a report from JWCC President Michael Elbe regarding the official groundbreaking ceremony of the Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility at its meeting Wednesday night.

The event will be held on August 24, at 10:00 a.m., at the JWCC Agricultural Education Center in Baylis, IL.

“The official groundbreaking ceremony of the Orr Corporation Multipurpose Agriculture Facility showcases a 44-year educational partnership with the University of Illinois and John Wood Community College facilitated by the Orr Corporation,” Elbe said. “This unique partnership offers research and educational components to serve the agricultural industry in Central Illinois and the Tri-State region.”

The Orr Corporation is leading this privately funded project and $1.7 million of the $2 million target goal has been raised to date. Construction of the 24,000 square foot facility will begin this September at the JWCC Agricultural Education Center and the U of I Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center. The facility will house offices and classrooms, an exposition/arena space and an animal care unit designed for short-term or temporary housing for the welfare of animals. The building will address multiple agricultural education and development issues in West Central Illinois and will further enhance research, teaching and activities throughout the region. 

According to Matt Bradshaw, Orr Corporation chair, this new facility will expand the offerings and present more opportunities to bring in other agencies and organizations to make a greater impact in our rural communities and the agricultural industry.

In other business, Trustees:

Authorized submission of a $297,600 grant application to the Department of Education for the TRIO-Upward Bound Grant.

Accepted $1,858,160 in grant funds to be received in $371,632 annual installments over five years from the Department of Education for the TRIO – Academic Talent Search Funding.

Approved $1,521,478.78 transfer of funds from the Operating Funds to the Operations and Maintenance Restricted Fund for capital improvements and deferred maintenance projects.

Approved a transfer of $115,000 of College matching funds to a trust for a Capital Development Board approved College Parking Lot Repair project.

Adopted revision of Board Policy 411 – Academic Requirements to align with ongoing practices.

Approved the Supplement Agreement to the President’s Employment Agreement.