GRAND OPENING TODAY FOR HODDE CENTER EXPANSION

  

A grand opening ceremony will is set for this morning for the expansion of the workforce training center inside the Brenham Business Center industrial park, on Hwy. 290 at FM 577.

The event, set for 9:00 a.m., marks the completion a $2 million EDA-funded grant project to construct the new “Technical Education Annex” as an expansion of the A.W. Hodde, Jr. Technical Education Center at Blinn College and provide additional job training programs in the Brenham area.

Grant funds totaling $1.35 million were provided through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Economic Development Assistance Program.  Local partners funded over $650,000, including the Brenham Community Development Corporation of the City of Brenham, Blinn College, Washington County Commissioners Court, and the Brenham Economic Development Foundation.

Additional corporate sponsorships for new training equipment were provided by Germania Insurance, Seidel Schroeder, Brenham National Bank and Citizens State Bank. Many other contributions of materials, machinery and resources have been donated by area businesses and individuals, all to be recognized at the grand opening ceremony.

The Brenham EDF is the official grant recipient and owner of the new facility.  Blinn College will operate and administer all training programs. The new space includes multi-purpose classrooms and workforce labs.