Flint Hills Technical College President Caron Daugherty says the college is ready to provide academic technical programming for semiconductor-related businesses interested in creating projects across the area, although no such projects are teed up just yet.
The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to join the Kansas Semiconductor Manufacturing Consortium as part of a special meeting Wednesday. Daugherty says college administrators will have more conversations about how to facilitate this effort on campus.
The board’s decision to join the consortium is the first step towards the college’s involvement in potential semiconductor-related projects areawide. Daugherty says more information about this initiative, including grant applications from CHIPS Act funding, may be available within the next two months.
7:30 pm Wednesday: FHTC Board of Trustees approves joining Kansas Semiconductor Manufacturing Consortium
Flint Hills Technical College is beginning a brand-new endeavor.
The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to join the Kansas Semiconductor Manufacturing Consortium as part of a special meeting Wednesday. The consortium is a public-private partnership in conjunction with the federal CHIPS Act to bolster America’s semiconductor industry and better position it against foreign competition, mainly from China.
President Caron Daugherty says the college would be the academic technical provider for semiconductor-based industries looking to move into the area. The college’s decision to enter the consortium does not come with a firm project in hand, but Daugherty says there are several businesses that are interested in developing projects in the area.
Daugherty says this effort could have a vast reach for many college programs, including industrial engineering, welding, computer program design, network technology, nursing and emergency medical services.
Daugherty credited Coffey County Economic Development for its work. The college had initial plans to expand its presence in Coffey County, but those are shifting to a degree with the consortium plan now moving forward. Daugherty says this is a separate process from Coffey County’s work to land an APEX grant for significant economic development as announced last week.
