The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is a big step closer to ordering equipment for the SCILL Center’s new robotics and automation program. The county commissioners Monday opened a lone bid for everything needed for the startup.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says the $339,858 cost will be covered from three funding sources. They include a $100,000 Perkins Grant through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, $100,000 from the City of Knox Tax Increment Financing fund and money from the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).
Weaver hopes to have the robotics and automation program online at the SCILL Center by the time school starts in August. He says Ivy Tech will do the credentialing for the program and will pay the cost of instruction for the first two years
The county commissioners accepted the bid contingent on final review from OCRA to ensure it meets requirements as specified. That review takes a few days to complete, after which it takes about three weeks for OCRA to release the funds so the actual order can be placed.
The SCILL Center robotics and automation program will move into the space at Knox Middle School currently occupied by the welding program. It’s moving over to the former B&H Supply building on South Heaton Street.
