West Central Reporter

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer recently toured the new Workforce Development Center at John Wood Community College (JWCC). The visit included a tour of the main campus and the newly expanded facility, which aims to enhance educational opportunities for both current students and individuals seeking to improve their skills.

Davidsmeyer was accompanied by JWCC President Dr. Bryan Renfro, Great River Economic Development Foundation President Kyle Moore, as well as several students and faculty members. The group included Carter Cale from Canton High School in Missouri, Jaren Henry and Carson Kerr from Southeastern High School in Illinois, Welding Instructor Mark Schenk, and Aiden Akers also from Southeastern High School.

The Workforce Development Center's expansion project was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 29, 2024. The project added 14,170 square feet to the existing facility located at 2710 North 42nd Street in Quincy. New features include a Truck Driver Training addition, expanded HVAC training space, business and industry training areas, and a remodel of the interior to accommodate welding, mixed/virtual reality learning, industrial maintenance and manufacturing, robotics and automation. Additionally, flexible use spaces for new programs were created along with a new vehicle entrance off 42nd Street and an enlarged parking area.

The expansion also includes a computer-aided design lab sponsored by Gardner Denver and a community commons area funded by the Rotary Club of Quincy.

This $6 million investment is intended to provide state-of-the-art training opportunities that align with regional workforce needs. It aims to create head-of-household positions, attract private investment, and strengthen economic resilience throughout the region.

"Enjoyed being on the main campus and at the new workforce development facility for John Wood Community College," said Davidsmeyer. "They really are thinking big on how to make college and tech school truly work for the next generation and anyone trying to better themselves! Thank you to Dr. Bryan Renfro for your leadership in this area!"