The City of Knox is investing in infrastructure updates to benefit the workforce training programs offered through the SCILL Center. The Starke County Economic Development Foundation recently acquired the old B&H Supply building on South Heaton Street.
The welding program will move into there later this summer to make way for the new robotics program, which will be headquartered at Knox Middle School. SCILL Center Director Ron Gifford says robotics equipment bids will be opened during tonight’s county commissioners meeting and will be ordered when the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs signs off on the purchases. He hopes to have the program up and running by the start of school on Aug. 4th.
The Knox Board of Works on Wednesday agreed to spend between $6,000 and $6,500 to upgrade the water line that serves the building and add a fire hydrant. Members noted the existing line is not adequate to handle the required restrooms for the facility.
Gifford says the expanded welding shop will double the number of booths and allow for fabricating capabilities as well. So far 55 students have applied for the class.
