ANC Board Approves Center for Allied Technologies Contractor

The meeting follows a sealed bid opening which was held Wednesday, March 15, 2017, on the main campus of Arkansas Northeastern College. Eight general contractors submitted sealed bids for the project. CNI submitted the low bid of $12,875,000.00 for the construction of the facility and to implement a campus wide drainage plan.

The approximate 88,000 square foot center will actually decrease the College’s overall facilities by 30,000 square feet by consolidating the Burdette Center, Harry L. Crisp Center, and the ACME Center—with an estimated costs savings for the College of approximately $100,000 a year in maintenance.  The new facility will feature a headquarters for the College’s customized training force—The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, HVAC classroom & lab, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. Additionally, a world-class welding laboratory will be available for students. Secondary Center students from area high schools will also be served on the ANC Main Campus by classroom & lab facilities for advanced manufacturing, welding, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry.  The design incorporates a computer lab for the Secondary Center. Also featured in the facility is an aircraft compound, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate ANC’s Federal Aviation Administration— certified Aviation Maintenance Program. Even though only one floor level is planned, the building design features a two-story-height aviation compound, welding laboratory, and glass entrance tower to add to the building’s distinctiveness and appeal.

Funding for the facility will come from a variety of sources including college resources, bond proceeds, private contributions, and support from the ANC Foundation. External fund-raising will continue throughout the construction of the project to lessen the amount of borrowing needed.

Construction will begin next month with a scheduled completion date of summer 2018.

Ramsdells Give to ANC Center for Allied Technologies

(L-R) Mr. Rick Ramsdell and his wife Trev present ANC President Dr. James Shemwell with a check for $25,000 toward the College's planned Center for Allied Technologies.

Ramsdells Give to ANC Center for Allied Technologies

     Arkansas Northeastern College’s Center for Allied Technologies just received another gift toward constructing the facility. Mr. Rick Ramsdell and his wife Trev, longtime residents of Blytheville who have recently moved back to their home state of Utah, have donated $25,000 to the project which is slated for construction to begin later this spring.

     The Ramsdell’s donation will allow them naming rights to the student lounge area of the facility. Mr. Ramsdell recently retired from the Nucor Yamato Steel Mill where he spent many years working in the industry. Given his work history and his commitment to community service, he understands the importance of ANC’s Center for Allied Technologies and, along with his family, wished to support the project.

     “Arkansas Northeastern College provides the necessary training and education for local industry employees who are looking for career advancement or change. This facility will be instrumental in their efforts and I am glad to support something that will be so important to the community,” said Ramsdell.

     “We are fortunate to have the friendship and support of people like Rick Ramsdell,” said ANC President Dr. James Shemwell.  “The Ramsdells have been active members of our community for many years and we are happy to have an area of the new facility that can serve as a reminder of the love and commitment they have to this area.”

     The new facility to be located on the ANC Main Campus will actually decrease the College’s overall facilities by 30,000 square feet by consolidating the Burdette Center, Harry L. Crisp Center, and the ACME Center—with an estimated costs savings for the College of approximately $100,000 a year in maintenance.  This new facility will feature a headquarters for the College’s customized training force—The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, HVAC classroom & lab, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. Additionally, a world-class welding laboratory will be available for students.

     Secondary Center students from area high schools also will be served by this facility through classroom & laboratories for advanced manufacturing, welding, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry.  The design incorporates a computer lab for the Secondary Center. Also featured is an aircraft hangar/lab, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate ANC’s Federal Aviation Administration—certified Aviation Maintenance Program.