News
GI Welding Tech Building Opens
March 5, 2026
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held March 4 for a new welding technology building at Central Community College-Grand Island.
The 12,500-square-foot facility houses 48 multiprocessing booths, 16 oxyacetylene teaching stations, a robotic welder, a dedicated grinding room and a state-of-the-art ventilation system. The new facility replaces a large room in the Center for Health and Technical Sciences building that, according to CCC-Grand Island President Dr. Marcie Kemnitz, was never designed to function as a welding lab.
“With continued demand for skilled welders in our region and strong student interest in the program, it became clear that investing in a new, purpose-built facility was the right direction,” Kemnitz said.
Gov. Jim Pillen attended the ceremony and spoke to the gathering about the opportunities the new welding facility offers current students as well as future ones.
“It’s a great day for our youth because we all agree our kids are our future,” said Pillen. “We’ll have thousands of kids having great careers and really making an impact for workforce development and growing Nebraska’s economy.”
Faith Wilson, a welding technology student who will graduate in May, addressed the attendees. She focused her remarks about the opportunities the new welding building will offer students in the program.
“When you come with the mindset of working hard and working diligently, you can walk out graduating knowing a lot about welding technology and so much more,” said Wilson.
Other speakers included Mary Berlie, president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, and CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall, who thanked the taxpayers and the state for the funding to build the lab.
The ribbon was cut by a pair of welding technology students, Endy Mora Andrade from Grand Island Senior High School and JP Karr from Northwest High School in Grand Island.