(June 29, 2010) – Lone Star College System announced that it has received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help build the LSC-Victory Center, a LSC-North Harris facility.
The LSC-Victory Center will provide training for workers in basic and advanced skills in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and general building trades – skills that are crucial during disaster recovery efforts and during times when major employers in the Gulf Coast region are rebuilding and expanding.
“The Obama Administration is committed to helping the Gulf Coast region recover from the 2008 hurricanes,” said Gary Locke, U.S. Commerce Secretary, from Washington. “This EDA grant will establish a vocational training center that will provide workers with the critical skills needed to compete for higher-skill, living-wage job opportunities and help bring economic stability to the region.”
LSCS recently closed on the purchase of 17 acres to be used for the center, which is located on the corner of Victory and Vogel streets in the Aldine area near the Acres Homes and Inwood Forest communities.
The new LSC-Victory Center planned for this site will be approximately 85,000 square feet and will facilitate workforce and academic preparation along with economic and community development. The center will also be a focal point for citizenship training for area residents. When complete, it will handle a student capacity of up to 3,500.
“Lone Star College is thrilled to receive this grant, which will greatly enhance our offerings at the Victory Center,” said Randy Bates, J.D., chair of the LSCS Board of Trustees. “Lone Star prides itself on being responsive to community needs and this center will provide the platform for training much-needed workers in these well-paying, critical professions.”
Bates indicated that Texas state Rep. Sylvester Turner (Dist. 139) was instrumental in assisting the college obtain this federal grant. Turner’s legislative district also includes the Aldine, Acres Homes and Inwood areas.
"This effort by Lone Star College will help to provide a trained workforce for the local communities and surrounding areas,” Turner said. “The careers are essential in meeting the needs of homeowners and businesses while providing people with technical expertise which can lead to good paying jobs."
Construction on the LSC-Victory Center will begin later this summer with an anticipated completion for the fall 2010 semester.
This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.? For more information, go to http://www.eda.gov/.
With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
###