OTC opens $7.3M campus in Republic

Ozarks Technical Community College held a grand opening for its new $7.3 million campus in Republic.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday comes ahead of the scheduled fall semester start date of Aug. 24. More than 100 students have registered for classes this fall, pursuing associate degrees, such as general education, criminal justice and behavioral science, according to a news release. Officials in the release said the campus could grow to serve up to 1,200 students.

The 7.7-acre property valued at $1 million was donated in 2015 by the Bussey, Cox and Lipscomb families. It's located at 584 W. U.S. Highway 60.

“It was an easy decision for the family to donate land to OTC,” said Larry Lipscomb, family representative and managing member of Pioneer Outdoor LLC, in the release. “The college is vital to the economic growth of southwest Missouri, and the new Republic center will play a major role in educating the next generation of workers.”

Multiple funding sources paved the way for the campus, including a 2018 ballot measure approved by voters for new and renewed tax levies over a 20-year period. Additionally, OTC received a $2.3 million interest-free loan through Webster Electric Cooperative; $1.25 million from the state of Missouri; and $250,000 from the Sunderland Foundation.

Rich Kramer Construction Inc. completed the project in May after breaking ground in February 2019. That same month, OTC selected James Ackerman as the Republic campus director. Ackerman previously was director of OTC's Speech Communication Center and a communications instructor.