December 11, 2014
The Northeast Texas Community College Foundation recently named the Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation (MPEDC) winner of its Distinguished Benefactor award for their support of the Industrial Technology Training Center (ITTC). The MPEDC has contributed almost $900,000 to the program since it opened.
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Back in 2010, a group of local business and industry leaders indicated a need for training to create qualified workers for in-demand jobs. A core group of partners - NTCC, the MPEDC, and Mount Pleasant Independent School District - rallied to fulfill this mission through the development of the ITTC. With the financial support of the MPEDC, local businesses and grants, NTCC was able to purchase an existing building off I-30 in Mount Pleasant. The facility was quickly renovated and the ITTC opened it?s doors to students in 2011.
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Since then, more than 40 students have graduated from NTCC?s Industrial Technology Training program. Additionally, 30 MPHS students currently attend dual credit classes in Industrial Technology and 13 in Electrical Trades at the facility.
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?The Industrial Technology Training Center is an excellent example of how great things happen when people work together to achieve a common goal,? Dr. Jon McCullough, NTCC Vice President for Advancement said. ?We are thrilled to honor the MPEDC as a Distinguished Benefactor. Thanks to their help, the ITTC went from dream to reality in a remarkably short amount of time.?
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The non-profit MPEDC is led by Executive Director Charlie Smith and a governing board, which includes Erman Hensel, Tommy James, Rick Strudthoff, Brian Niblett and Jerry Boatner. According to Smith, the MPEDC?s mission is twofold.
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?We must develop programs which help our existing industries grow and prosper and we must recruit new industry (new employment opportunities) to the area.††To do this we must have a workforce which will meet the needs of tomorrow?s manufacturers,? he said. ?We see this funding over the past four years not as a donation, but rather as a partnership with NTCC and with MPISD to offer training in tomorrow?s skills. We feel that it has been very successful.?
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The MPEDC?s commitment to workforce training has made them one of the most prolific donors in the NTCC Foundation?s history. They are only the third recipient of the Distinguished Benefactor award. Mrs. Carol Meyer received the honor in 2013 and Mrs. Elizabeth Whatley in 2012.
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?All of our donors, both large and small, make a huge difference in the lives of students at Northeast Texas Community College. However, there is occasionally a friend that consistently rises up to the challenge in a way that profoundly changes the college as a whole. It is for these unique individuals and groups that we reserve the Distinguished Benefactor award,? McCullough said.
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To learn more about the ITTC or to find out how you can help support programs at NTCC, please contact McCullough at 903-434-8115.†
