Barstow Community College Awarded Nearly $1 Million Investment in Facility Improvements for College’s New Workforce Training Center
BCC One of 18 Statewide ‘California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative’ Awardees
BARSTOW, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that Barstow Community College has been awarded $970,000 through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative to support facility improvements for the college's new workforce training center. The state grant will help fund construction and renovation to transform an existing building located at 1380 Barstow Rd, expanding the college's capacity to offer new and innovative job training programs for Barstow students, existing workers seeking new skills, veterans, and military families.
The California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative is a statewide effort to direct funding toward regional economic development projects that create good jobs and build long-term workforce capacity. This large workforce investment comes at a pivotal moment as Barstow Community College and the North High Desert see growing demand for skilled workers in fields like logistics, manufacturing, and the trades.
"This grant is about more than repurposing a vacant building at the heart of our community, expanding our college's career technical education programming: it's an investment in the future of Barstow and the North High Desert. When we deliver access to training that leads to family sustaining wages and in-demand careers, we inspire residents to aim high and stay local, strengthen family bonds, generate new business for local employers, and expand our economy as a whole," said Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre, President of the Barstow Community College District Board of Trustees.
Earlier this summer, Barstow Community College purchased the building at the corner of Barstow Road and Rimrock Road, using the college's existing capital outlay funds, its long-term savings account for buildings and facilities. The state's $970,000 California Jobs First award is a pivotal step for the college in moving forward with transforming the building into a new, state-of-the-art workforce training center. Decisions on specific training programs will be determined in collaboration with industry and under faculty advisement. Programs may include existing offerings such as industrial maintenance and new programs and industry recognized credentials in occupations and sectors such as automation and robotics, industrial cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and clean energy. “This investment demonstrates that the state recognizes not only the opportunities for economic growth in Barstow, but that our college’s fiscal responsibility, with the leadership of our Board of Trustees, has paved the financial foundation to make this center possible,” added Dr. Eva Bagg, Superintendent-President, Barstow Community College. “Through the center, we will advance training in middle skill occupations that I believe will be exciting for young people and working adults to be part of our new innovative economy.”
In the first five years upon completion of the building, the center is expected to train between 900 and 1,200 workers for careers that pay well above the Inland Southern California self-sufficiency wage of $22 an hour. Barstow Community College is the only public college serving Barstow and the North High Desert.
To access a full list of California Jobs First Regional Initiative Round Two Funding awardees:
About Barstow Community College
Barstow Community College (BCC) is a two-year public college in California’s High Desert that
serves a wide range of students from Barstow and surrounding communities, including
Lenwood, Newberry Springs, Yermo, and Baker. BCC offers programs to help students transfer
to four-year universities, train for careers, or improve basic skills. The college also provides
workforce training that meets local job needs and supports military personnel and their families
through its center at Fort Irwin. Learn more at barstow.edu.
###
Media Contact:
Amanda Simpson
Barstow Community College
2700 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311
Phone: 760-252-2411 x7348
