Blackhawk Tech announces expansion in Beloit
Blackhawk Technical College will open a new facility in Beloit in August that is three times the size of its current facility and that will allow an expansion from its current adult education offerings.
The BTC Board on Wednesday approved the lease of about 15,000 square feet of space at the Eclipse Center at 1700 Riverside Drive, formerly the Beloit Mall owned by Hendricks Development Group.
The center is about 5 miles south of BTC’s central campus.
The board’s vote commits the college to spending about $750,000 to renovate the Eclipse Center over the next 10 years. The developer is Beloit Properties.
BTC would pay rent of $80,000 a year plus utilities. The lease cost would increase by 3 percent a year.
Next year’s budget would also include $450,000 for equipment and furnishings and an unknown amount for additional staff.
The center would join several other tenants, including the new Beloit Public Library. The Eclipse Center is about 400,000 square feet.
The new site replaces BTC’s former Beloit Center, which was 4,000 square feet and was abandoned last summer because of flooding.
Before, BTC offerings in Beloit included English language and adult basic education.
“Now we’re going to have a full array of programming,” said Sharon Kennedy, vice president of learning.
The new center is expected to provide classes in health-care professions, computer technology, adult basic education, English as a second language, general education, community education and courses that would help students transition to programs at the central campus. It will include two computer labs and a health sciences classroom.
The site would allow future expansion, according to the memo.
“We’re filling an unmet need,” Kennedy said. “We have not had a full array of programming before and desperately need to serve that community in a broader way.
“With this center, we believe we can better serve recent graduates from Beloit Memorial High School and persons in the community who have recently lost their jobs.”
The board considered a proposal to build a new school near the intersection of Interstates 43 and 90 in Beloit. The Eclipse Center was cheaper, and it was closer to populations that might use it and to the new Beloit Public Library and Beloit Memorial High School, according to a BTC memo.
The 10-year cost of the Eclipse Center facility is estimated to be about $1.67 million, compared with $3.66 million to $4.19 million for the other property.
The classes will locate in the former Woolworth’s store, said Daniel Hartstern, vice president of finance and college operations.
Jan 22, 2009 at 7:20 p.m.
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Sandman-So when I leave my 6am-3:30pm job and go right to class until 10pm 3 nights a week, am married and have 3 small children that is adult day care huh?? Get back to me on this one.
Jan 22, 2009 at 3:05 p.m.
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I am a BTC graduate and I would not have my job today if I wouldn't have gone there. I'm very happy they are expanding.
Jan 22, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
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Sandman: You obviously are ignorant of importance of technical education. There are many benefits of an educated work force.
What did you accomplish with your statement besides complaining about something you can't control or comprehend. According to you everyone that attends BTC is there because they need a baby sitter? Lets see proof of your argument. Reading comprehension is not your strong suit if your complaining about the government leasing Hendricks property.
It was the cheaper of the options on the table. Maybe if we all learned to cut back a little things will get better. Education is not something we will progress with out.
Jan 22, 2009 at 12:21 p.m.
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Sandman is probably one of those who are resentful that they did not complete high school. Once that facility gets up and running, check out curriculum Sandman--with any luck they will offer a a program where you can get your GED:)
Jan 22, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
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It is quite offensive (and ignorant) that anyone would consider a college education for adults to be equivalent to adult day care.
Jan 22, 2009 at 11:29 a.m.
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Adult daycare at its finest, coming to a Hendricks-owned, government-leased property near you!
Jan 22, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
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Now, this is great news! More education often equals more money for the individual and that means more dollars being spent locally. Good job, BTC.
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