East Central College officially opened its new Business and Industry Center with a ribbon cutting Thursday, Oct. 20.It featured remarks by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer, followed by tours for staff and community members.“East Central College is honored to have Gov. Nixon join us at the Business and Industry Center ribbon cutting,” Bauer said. “This building represents a new era for the college and for the community. It will create more career opportunities for our students and serve as the workforce training provider for our region.”Formerly the Gala Center, the college purchased the building in April 2015 with plans to transform it into a regional center for advanced manufacturing and workforce training.Students in the machining, welding, industrial engineering technology and HVAC programs all will have classes in the building. The Center for Workforce Development also has moved offices to the space.The East Central College Foundation has launched a capital campaign to help fund the renovation. Ace Manufacturing and Parts Co., Sullivan, donated $250,000 for the project.The college also secured a $1 million no-interest loan through a partnership with Crawford Electric Co-Op and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.Other funding came from a $1.2 million Economic Development Administration grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as institutional funding.ECC