Creation of BTC manufacturing center delayed
Photo 
Thomas Eckert
BELOIT — An expansion of Blackhawk Technical College will not start as early as first hoped.
Creating an advanced manufacturing center in Beloit remains a goal, however, BTC President Tom Eckert said Thursday.
Eckert said in May that work on the manufacturing center might start yet this year, but that's no longer the case. Now, the earliest work could start is spring 2013, Eckert said.
The project would involve remodeling 130,000 square feet in the Beloit Ironworks building, which is the former Beloit Corp. building in downtown Beloit owned by Hendricks Commercial Properties.
"Ideally, it would be great to start in the spring, but I just don't know whether that's possible," Eckert said.
Eckert said scheduling conflicts have held up planning for the project.
"We're going to meet with Hendricks Development on Aug. 17 to talk further about moving forward," Eckert said. "At this point, we don't have a date (to begin work). We're going to be working that out with them later this month to see where we stand and when we're going to get moving."
The center would be different from previous BTC expansions in that it would take a major infusion of private money, possibly in addition to grants.
Eckert said a fundraising plan has not yet been set. He said he hopes to raise the $10 million to $12 million needed for the project.
Normally, a building owner would remodel to suit the client and distribute that cost in the lease payments, Eckert said. BTC could not afford those lease payments, which is why the money needs to be raised up front, he said.
BTC's budget would then cover the ongoing operational costs, including the lease and utilities, Eckert said.
"We need to bring the price down to what can manage," he said.
Eckert guessed the remodeling could take a year, which pushes the opening to at least spring 2014.
The advanced manufacturing center would help BTC deliver skilled workers to local manufacturers, Eckert said in May.
Renovations would establish a state-of-the-art, project-based school that would be a showcase for 21st century manufacturing, officials have said.
The center would house programs in welding; precision machining; heating, air conditioning and ventilation; electro-mechanical/robotics; and industrial maintenance.
Moving classes to Beloit would free up space for remodeling at the main campus between Janesville and Beloit, Eckert has said.
Aug 10, 2012 at 9 p.m.
Suggest removal
obviously gonfo you must be employed by hendricks.
Aug 10, 2012 at 2:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
gray_ghost, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about! Even if she gave the lease and construction for free, you would probably still whine-n-cry about something else you don't like about her.
Look, nobody owes anybody anything in life. Life isn't fair and never will be, so get used to it! If you want something, work hard and earn it! ABC started out as 1 store on Broad St. in Beloit back in 1982 and because of a lot of hard work and the owners taking a risk, willing to loose it all on a chance at the American Dream, they got rich the old fashion way. They Earned It! So instead of being angry at them because your life didn't turn out the way you wanted, come up with an idea and take a risk at a chance of your American Dream! If your not willing to do so, then stop sitting on the sidelines complaining and just watch the game go by quietly!
Aug 10, 2012 at 2:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
gray-ghost: The state/city also save a great deal of money on this in the long run.
Aug 10, 2012 at 1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
i think its a great idea, but look at the other side of the coin. hendricks will be filling its pockets from lease payments for years to come. they have did this many times in beloit. they remodel a building and lease it back to the city or state. they make money and get a tax write off, at the same time. hendricks owns the construction company, that does the remodel, and they own the supply companys to provide the materials. in the long run, hendricks is the winner, and not btc or the people of wisconsin.
Aug 10, 2012 at 8:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Well said Lar80! Ok Grey, what exactly is your contribution to the community that is so great, to deserve the right to criticize others the way you do? We are all ears!
Aug 10, 2012 at 12:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
gray_ghost
.
Really? Are you that uninformed? The gazette and others have been writing articles for the better part of a year now.
.
Hendricks will shoulder considerable costs.. They already have shelled out for everything done to this point. (BTC has spent zero even on research).
.
Do you really expect Hendricks to pay for the whole thing? Just because they can?
.
Let's see some of the many manufacturers around the state who are begging for employees with just these skills pony up and help Hendricks and BTC fund this thing.
.
Is there ever an upbeat post on this website?
.
This is something worthy of getting on board with... Industry being benefactors in tech ed, and not via taxation but rather by partnership.
Aug 9, 2012 at 5:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
btc can not afford lease payments to hendricks, what a shock. this cant be the same hendricks who brags about, how they want to help the community in education and creating jobs.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.