To meet demand, OTC plans to add space for lineworker, ag programs in Christian County

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
An artist rendering for the electrical distribution systems and agriculture building planned at Ozark Technical Community College's Richwood Valley campus.
An artist rendering for the electrical distribution systems and agriculture building planned at Ozark Technical Community College's Richwood Valley campus.

Ozarks Technical Community College is ready to construct a new space for agriculture and lineworker programs on its Richwood Valley campus.

Plans for the electrical distribution systems and agriculture building have taken shape over the past year.

At a meeting Wednesday, the OTC Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the proposed $4.5 million project, which includes hiring a general contractor.

OTC officials have worked with Paragon Architecture to design the EDS and Agriculture building. If approved, it will be constructed on the campus in Christian County.

In late September, the college received four bids for the project from construction companies.

The college will ask the OTC board to approve a $3.2 million bid from the Springfield-based Branco Enterprises Inc. to build the new structure.

It was the lowest of the bids submitted. The others bidders were BP Builders Inc., Crossland Construction Company, and Rich Kramer Construction.

More: After almost doubling enrollment in three years, OTC's ag program seeks funds to expand

The OTC agriculture program was focused primarily on turf and landscaping before moving to the Richwood Valley in 2019, allowing for an expansion of animal science coursework and the inclusion of livestock on campus. Interest and enrollment has grown quickly in the years since.

The project will be paid for with matching funds from the MoExcels Workforce Initiative, a grant from the Economic Development Administration, and college funds.

As part of the proposal, OTC outlined how it planned to spend the $4.5 million earmarked for the project:

  • $3.2 million − Building construction;

  • Nearly $490,000 − Fire and life safety systems, information technology, HVAC equipment and controls, security system, interior signage, permits and inspections;

  • Nearly $360,000 − Furniture, fixtures and equipment;

  • Nearly $332,000 − Architecture and engineering fees, geotechnical investigation;

  • Nearly $132,000 − A 3% contingency fund.

The board will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the board room at OTC, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway. The meeting is open to the public.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: To meet demand, OTC plans to add space for lineworker, ag programs