OCTC buys Lewisport building for welders training | News

Owensboro Community and Technical College is working with community partners to develop a new industrial lab near its Hancock County Center.

The former auto repair shop on U.S. 60 in Lewisport, across from OCTC’s Hancock County Center, will be renovated to become welding labs, according to OCTC President Jim Klauber.

“The college is critically short of technical lab space,” Klauber said. “We are excited about the opportunity to offer this important training in a county that has so much heavy industry.”

The OCTC Foundation purchased the building, valued at $120,000, from Owensboro entrepreneur Jack Wells for $36,000. Klauber said the college greatly appreciates Wells’ generosity. The college is working with officials in Lewisport and Hancock County governments on plans to renovate the facility.

The college will move welding equipment from its Downtown Campus in Owensboro to the Hancock County site. The facility will be used by those working in industry and those who want to work in industry as well as Hancock County High School students who take welding through Community Campus.

“A lot of the industries that need welding workforce training are in Hancock County, Klauber said.

The current Hancock County Center, which is former retail space, did not have a suitable area for welding. The building just purchased has concrete floors and it is vented for industrial uses.

“It’s perfect for welding,” Klauber said.

The welding lab at the Downtown Campus will become the new home of OCTV, which is moving to make way for the college’s new Veterinary Technology Program.