Southeast Community College in Beatrice will soon have a facility dedicated to welding.

Dean of Agriculture, Welding and Transportation Jon Kisby said there was a recognition of Beatrice being a manufacturing community, and the new building will be a welcome addition.

“There’s a recognition that Beatrice and the area has a strong manufacturing base,” he said. “As a college we haven’t been able to support that well as a college with the current facilities. When we had the opportunity to do that we jumped at the chance.”

The 4,000 square foot facility will be able to accommodate 20 welding booths. It is equipped to teach all the courses offered in the associate degree, however they will be supporting the ag programs and ag education on campus in the beginning. They are an accredited testing site for certified welders in the facility.

There is also some fabrication space available in the building.

“It will be nice to have a dedicated space,” he said.

There are currently 160-170 students in the ag program at the Beatrice campus.

Kisby said that is an upward trend.

A new staff will likely be hired and shared between the Milford and Beatrice campus.

There will also be the possibility of continued education which could be non-credit or for credit courses.

Assistant Campus Director and Dean of Students Toni Landenberger said students are coming from family farms.

“There are so many updates and new equipment,” she said. “They’re taking that information back to the farm.”

There is a new and larger welding facility being built in Lincoln.

Landenberger said the college was able to finance the project through savings.

“The college received ARPA funding because they were able to reallocate some funds to pay for this project,” she said. “Opportunities for partnerships continue to be available.”

The building is expected to be completed in May and will be ready for students in the fall semester of 2024.