East Central College Board of Trustees Monday night approved four bids for equipment to be housed in the college’s newly opened business and industry center.Three FlexMation II Robotic Systems Trainers from Rixan Associates and one LabVolt Pumps Training System from Innovative Education Systems were approved for purchase for the Industrial Engineering Technology Program.“This equipment will deliver valuable, hands-on experience to our students,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer. “Plus, 75 percent of the cost is being reimbursed to the college through the state of Missouri’s Vocational Enhancement Grant program.”The total cost is $99,950.Joel Doepker, vice president of external relations, noted that the vendor provided nearly $50,000 in a special discount to the college.Trustees also approved the purchase of LabVolt Pumps Training System for the industrial engineering technology program. The system will be purchased from Innovative Education Systems at a total cost of $23,918.64. The college will be reimbursed 75 percent, or $17,938.98, through the vocational enhancement grant program.Additionally, 10 multiprocess welders from The Lincoln Electric Company and five TIG welders from OzarcGas Equipment and Supply were approved for purchase.Both vendors provided the low bid of five received by the college. They will be partially funded with USDA grant monies with the balance reimbursed through vocational enhancement grant funds.The cost of the multiprocess welders is $38,963.60 and the TIG welders are $27,715.80.Of the $66,679, the college’s total cost will be $4,855 after grant funding.The machines will be used by the Center for Workforce Development, industrial engineering technology and the HVAC programs.“The new welding lab in the Business and Industry Center will provide short-term workforce training and support of other academic programs,” said Dr. Bauer. “We know from employers that a skilled workforce is the most critical need they face. Our responsibility is to produce graduates who can meet this demand and contribute to raising the economic trajectory of our region.”The purchase of argon and carbon dioxide tanks and cylinders from Airgas, Pacific, were approved for purchase. The gas supply will be used for welders in the business and industry center and used by the Center for Workforce Development, the industrial engineering technology and HVAC programs.Airgas provided the low bid of five with a total cost of all gas and cradle/cylinder lease at $3,790 per year based on 27 cylinders per year. Other bidders were Eagle Safety Products LLC., Union, $6,335; OzarcGas Equipment & Supply, Arnold, $7,097.82; Matheson, Columbia, $8,044.12; and Metalweld, Inc. Houston, Mo., $11,678.97. ECC