Garden City Community College
GARDEN CITY – Garden City Community College will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, for the new Security State Bank Construction Trades Center, a facility that will expand workforce training and help meet growing demand for skilled trades professionals in Southwest Kansas.
The ceremony will take place at 718 N. Campus Drive in Garden City and is open to the public. Parking will be available at Broncbuster Stadium.
The Security State Bank Construction Trades Center will provide 11,350 square feet of modern instructional and hands-on training space for construction technology and electrical technology, helping prepare students for high-demand careers throughout the region. The space will feature two large shop areas, educational spaces, faculty offices, and tool and material storage areas.
“This facility represents a major investment in the future workforce of Southwest Kansas,” said Dr. Ryan Ruda, President of Garden City Community College. “The Security State Bank Construction Trades Center will create expanded opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, earn industry-aligned credentials, and enter careers that directly support the economic growth and housing needs of our region.”
The $3.1 million project has been in development for more than two years, with funding secured entirely through private donations, grants, and tax credits. No levied tax dollars will be used to fund the facility.
Security State Bank secured the naming rights opportunity through a sizeable investment in career-focused education at GCCC, demonstrating a shared commitment to workforce development and student success.
“Security State Bank is excited and proud to invest in the education of students pursuing careers in the construction trades. These high-demand careers will have a meaningful and lasting impact on students and communities across western Kansas for many years to come,” said Josh Bailey, President and CEO of Security State Bank.
Additional support for the project has been provided by the Finnup Foundation, Patterson Foundation, Triple Oak Power, and numerous generous individual donors.
Construction-related occupations are projected to grow by approximately 12 percent in Southwest Kansas over the next decade, outpacing many comparable rural regions. Locally, Finney County estimates a need for more than 4,000 new housing units by 2030 to support continued economic growth and workforce expansion.
The new facility will help address these workforce needs by expanding educational opportunities for high school dual-credit students, traditional college students, and adult learners seeking retraining or career advancement opportunities in the skilled trades.
GCCC’s Construction Technology and Electrical Technology programs provide stackable, industry-aligned credentials that create clear pathways into high-demand careers in skilled trades.
The center is expected to be completed in December 2026 in partnership with GMCN Architects and Hutton Construction.
For more information about GCCC’s Construction Trades programs, visit www.gcccks.edu or call GCCC Admissions at 620-276-7611.
