The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees awarded a construction contract to EWI Constructors of Russellville on Monday, Feb. 20, to perform a forthcoming renovation of the ATU-Ozark Campus Industrial Control Systems Building.
The $1,149,307.56 contract will be funded through a $1 million regional workforce grant from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) and monies from the ATU-Ozark educational and general fund approved by the ATU Board of Trustees in August 2022.
Constructed in 1976, the ATU-Ozark Industrial Control Systems Building provides 6,000 square feet of space for academic programs in automation, industrial electronics and computer information technology.
“These are in-demand, STEM programs that lead directly to rewarding careers and fulfill a market need for employees with these skills,” said Bruce Sikes, ATU-Ozark chancellor, when the ADHE grant was announced in July 2022. “Current lab and instructional spaces supporting automation instruction are limited in student spaces and are not congruent nor representative of the 21st century manufacturing environments of today. We are grateful for ADHE’s consideration of ATU-Ozark Campus and this high-priority project.”
The forthcoming project will allow ATU-Ozark to renovate interior spaces specific to program demand and update utilities, lighting and air systems. In addition, the project will provide state of the art automation lab space, relieve flooding issues, provide appropriate handicap accessibility, meet restroom standards, update power needs and restore the roof structure.
