Legislature Allocates Money for Grant County Skills Center in Moses Lake

One of the largest allocations in the legislature's Capital Projects Budget, signed by Gov. Gregoire this week, was $19.41 million for a new 43,000 square foot "skills center" facility to be located in Moses Lake. The center will offer high school students the opportunity to earn industry certifications in programs such as advanced construction, manufacturing technology, advanced culinary, dental hygiene, pre-health care, and robotics/engineering. The facility will be staffed with a combination of certified teachers and industry professionals. "This project has been one of the top priorities for Grant County, and Grant County's employers are looking for well-trained talent that these skills centers produce," said Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, R-Moses Lake, who helped secure the funding. Construction on the project may begin as early as September, and the facility could be open by January 2014.