The Rural Education and Workforce Alliance (REWA) is excited to announce the Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting of the University/Training Center that will take place on August 5th from 4-6pm. Final touches are being made with construction and furniture is being installed in the REWA office and large classroom. The University of Kansas’ Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) has began moving into their office and classroom space. With the program commitments from Fort Hays State University’s (FHSU) Master of Social Work and RN to BSN Program, we will be launching these programs in August 2020.

Please welcome the new Rural Education and Workforce Alliance Coordinator, Kyla Keller, who began work in February. Currently, Kyla is writing a USDA Planning Grant to fund a workforce study for the region as well as a marketing plan and building infrastructure improvement plan for Hennessy Hall.

Progress continues with the University Center at Hennessy Hall through the newly formed 501(c)(3) non-profit Rural Education and Workforce Alliance (REWA). From the construction and remodeling aspects of the project to continued coalition building and securing financial needs, the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation (Development Corporation) and REWA are continuing to pursue local, regional and national partnerships that make it possible to bring this project to life and create an asset to our region’s educational portfolio.

Progress continues with the University Center project at Hennessey Hall. Currently, the City is working to include renovation of the Milborne-Stone Theater for a workforce training prospect that would like to be located in Southwest Kansas. Working this project in while contractors are remodeling the University Center classroom would present savings on construction costs versus bidding the projects separately.

Progress continues with the University Center project at Hennessey Hall. The bid process has begun for the remodeling of the classroom space on the ground floor at Hennessey Hall that will be funded by the USDA Rural Business Development Grant. On October 29th, there was a pre-bid meeting held at the site for all interested contractors. All bids will be in by November 12th.

Progress continues with the University Center. The City of Dodge City has recently confirmed that we have received funds for construction of the first classroom through a USDA Grant. The City is working on bid documents, and construction will begin soon. Our next goal will be to work on construction across the hall to remodel a room for an additional classroom/office space for the REWA coordinator.

Progress continues with the University Center. Discussions with wKREDA (The Western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance), the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) and NetWork Kansas have continued to be effective with regards to building coalitions across SW Kansas to further recognize the needs for an increase of available healthcare professionals and other workforce training skills needed in the region. In late May, the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation organized and held a Lunch and Learn for Fort Hays State’s Bachelor of Social Work Cohort.