IVCC Board Approves $7.6 Million Agricultural Education Center

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) has officially contracted Vissering Construction Company for the construction of a new agricultural education center. The decision, made on Tuesday, involves a bid of $7.643 million for the facility, which aims to enhance agricultural education and training at the college. The project is currently awaiting approval from the Economic Development Administration, which, alongside the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will provide grant funding for the venture.

Funding for the center will also be supplemented by contributions from the IVCC Foundation Ag Campaign and the College’s Education and Operations and Maintenance Fund. This new construction represents a significant phase in the ongoing development of IVCC’s agricultural complex, designed to bring classrooms and laboratories closer to the college’s test fields.

Details of the New Center

The planned 10,250-square-foot facility will host various spaces including laboratories, classrooms, meeting areas, and a dedicated innovation lab. These features will enable IVCC to train and upskill agricultural workers, focusing on sustainable practices and the integration of technology within the agricultural sector. Groundbreaking for the center is scheduled for August 22.

During her monthly report, IVCC President Tracy Morris highlighted the success of the college’s distance learning initiative. Students from Serena High School will have the opportunity to earn dual credit by participating in three IVCC classes from their home campus. Additional area high schools are expected to join this program, which is funded by the schools and a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

Board Actions and Future Plans

In her report, Morris also noted a slight increase in fall enrollment in both headcount and credit hours compared to Fall 2024. The Board took several actions during the meeting, including approving a resolution to adopt the FY2026 budget. A public hearing is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on September 16 in the Board Room to discuss the college’s intention to issue Working Cash Fund bonds of up to $1.650 million to bolster its working cash fund.

Additionally, the Board authorized the purchase of software for $56,000 over the next three years to ensure the accessibility of course content programs. They also approved the search for a vendor to enhance the overall accessibility of the college’s website. The meeting concluded with the appointment of Dr. Jessica Wofford as an English and reading instructor and Angela Doermann as a CNA instructor/program coordinator.

These initiatives reflect IVCC’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and ensuring that students receive quality training in agricultural practices and beyond.