The Lon R. Frahm Agricultural Center at Colby Community College will officially open with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 11. The facility is at the north entrance off College Drive.

The need for the 12,400-square-foot building came from limited space to accommodate existing and expected new enrollment in ag-related majors. The facility features six classrooms, the largest of which can seat 53 students, offices for 16 full-time ag employees, and a 28-person meeting room. The lower level also serves as a tornado shelter for the north side of campus.

"We are humbled by the generosity of so many people who contributed to making this facility a reality," said President Dr. Seth Carter. "It will impact Colby Community College students, the community, and the region for many years."

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran is scheduled to attend on the 11^th, as he did last October when he helped the college break ground. Moran was instrumental in securing some of the funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Nearly $533,000 was Congressionally directed for use in the college's agriculture and dental hygiene programs.

Funding also came from several donors and other grants, the largest being an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contribution of $1,843,594.

Over the last three years, CCC has expanded agricultural offerings and opportunities that serve the region through developing additional certificates and tracks, enhancing remote student learning, and hiring additional ag faculty. Nearly 9,000 feet of fence was installed at the college farm in addition to hauling in several thousand square feet of dirt to resolve longstanding drainage problems. In January 2022, the college received a Department of Education Rural Postsecondary Economic Development grant for more than $1.23 million over three years to strengthen higher education credentials among rural students.