With a new $3 million industrial technology center now operational at North Central Texas College Bowie the question now arises on how to integrate this facility with the business community of Montague County and to inform potential students of what it offers.
The ITC was built by the Bowie 4B Sales Tax Corporation expanding the opportunities that began with the construction of NCTC Bowie almost 20 years ago. Classes are being offered in welding and petroleum technology, however, a state-of-the art machining lab sits idle ready to serve students, but the classes have been unable to make. College officials also hope to launch new HVAC classes possibly in the fall.
Upon the one year anniversary of the opening of the ITC, NCTC, along with the Bowie Economic Development groups conducted an industry roundtable discussion on April 8 drawing upon local business and community leaders to consider the needs of the local work force and industry.
Janis Crawley, Bowie Economic Development director, welcomed the group of about 25 local, area business leaders plus officials from NCTC. Crawley said they are asking how they can better serve the work force community.
“I thought it was a communication’s issue, but after talking to others I found it was a navigation issue. How do we integrate this facility within the business community?” said Crawley.

Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.