By Eric Stock and Lindsey Harrison/WMBD-TV
NORMAL – Heartland Community College plans to move its Lincoln campus to a new location to expand its programming.
The Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved the new center at 2201 Woodlawn Road in the Illini Building to enable the school to offer programs for certified nursing assistants, agriculture, continuing education and adult education.
“We’ve met with a lot of community leaders and organizations in the area,” says Kristi Powell, associate director of the Heartland Lincoln Center. “With the expansion of St. Clara’s manor and an aging population, there’s high demand for CNAs. Plus, several businesses in Logan County are ag-based. If we’re going to stay true to our commitment of being a community resource, we need to ensure we’re meeting employer needs.”
Heartland officials said the new facility will create a much better learning environment and increase parking accommodations.
“A new location will provide more functional space for additional classrooms that accommodate more interactive learning as well as study and socialization areas,” added Powell. “We want to have the look and feel of a college campus so students have a sense of pride and strong affiliation to their school.”
Brandt tax incentives
Heartland joins the list of taxing bodies agreeing to give a Canadian manufacturing company tax breaks to move to McLean County.
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the deal with Brandt Industries at its meeting Tuesday. The college is giving up nearly $47,000 dollars over a decade. Brandt has agreed to provide the college with in-kind rebates, like donated services.
President Rob Widmer said he thinks the company will help the community grow.
“What we’re look at with this agreement is a short term action to support a long term investment in our community and our work force,” he explained. “I think another thing that this, Brandt, will bring to us is a little more diversification to our employer base, a manufacturer, rather than financial service or service based and the like.”
Unit 5 School District and McLean County have also approved the deal. Normal Township and the Village of Hudson have postponed their decision. Normal Township is scheduled to vote Wednesday morning. Hudson and the Hudson Fire Protection District will vote next week.
The Heartland board also approved a drop in next year’s property tax rate. Heartland’s tax rate will be about one cent per $100 lower than last year. A homeowner with a $165,000 house will pay about $317, about $7 less in property taxes.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
