Del Mar College moving forward on revitalization of former primary school, facility to be renovated into Workforce Development Center in Aransas County
Article by Melinda Eddleman The Rockport-Fulton community will soon see a chain-link fence around the perimeter of what was once the Little Bay Primary School, along with a Del Mar College (DMC) sign indicating that renovations are coming soon. The College is moving forward with repurposing the facility into the Workforce Development Center, which will serve Rockport-Fulton, Aransas County and surrounding communities with higher education and workforce training opportunities that support those economies. While College officials anticipate renovation completion in fall 2025, once done, the 16,016 square-foot center will include classrooms, labs and additional space to house high-demand marketable skills training that builds a sustainable workforce in the Aransas County area. Training strategically targets occupations identified by the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend that meet Aransas County’s local and regional needs, including health sciences, public safety/fire, building trades, light industrial/manufacturing, small business and entrepreneurship, makerspace, CAD/drafting, communications and broadcasting, maritime and general education. Courses will be offered not only by the College’s academic programs but also by Continuing Education and Corporate Services, providing students the opportunity to earn Marketable Skills Awards that can articulate into academic credits leading to Level I and II Certificates, Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees and even toward the pursuit of DMC bachelor’s degrees–––the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. DMC and the Rockport-Fulton Independent School District (ISD) have already partnered over the years to provide students with dual enrollment opportunities. When the Workforce Development Center is complete, the school district’s students will have access to more courses and programs, along with technology and hands-on training equipment, to prepare them to become contributing members of the regional workforce and economy. Academic coursework will also provide students the opportunity to complete programs at Del Mar College or transfer credits to area universities. “Our goal is to continue working with Rockport-Fulton ISD to provide programs that support students locally to advance in their College courses,” says Keas. “Overall, the Workforce Development Center will offer skills training and education that’s unique to the region, in demand by employers and focused on today’s economy. Those opportunities will be available to everyone––young adults seeking a career, adults who want to up-skill and re-skill for essential jobs and those who simply want to re-enter the workforce.” Matthew Busby, DMC Vice President of Development and Donor Advising, notes that many community members have given private donations toward the renovation project––over $438,000. The DMC Foundation will offer scholarships once the center opens, and donations toward supporting scholarship funds and renovation work is currently being accepted. To inquire, contact the DMC Office of Development at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu. The partnership to establish the Workforce Development Center was initialized by a $1.7 million U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that was awarded to Aransas County in early 2021. While ownership of the facility would reside with Aransas County, the College was to handle operations, including furnishing equipment and offering core curriculum courses and workforce training programs. The College received ownership of the center from the County this past summer. Efforts are now underway to transform the facility into the Workforce Development Center. Design work has been completed by Turner | Ramirez Architects and construction to remodel the interior is targeted to begin in January 2025.
