A new multi-purpose building at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington will double as an emergency shelter.
The new facility will house classrooms and meeting space, and can provide protection during severe weather. The 10,000 square-foot space will be reinforced with concrete to protect as many as 15-hundred people.
The estimated cost is $4.2 million, with funding coming from a variety of sources:
- 50% - a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- 25% - the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
- 20% - Iowa’s Accelerated Career Education (ACE) program
- 5% - a FEMA state match
SCC President Michael Ash said FEMA awarded the grant to help provide protection against tornados and severe weather, such as the derecho that destroyed property across Iowa in August 2020.
“We didn't have the kind of damage or loss of life (in West Burlington) that they may have had up north of us, but nonetheless, we did have some damage,” Ash said.
“This is this is an effort to be prepared in the event of a high wind or tornado type of event.”
Construction is expected to begin in October and could be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
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