It's a tremendous opportunity for OTC in Lebanon. "We have been out of space for years where we are now, so we have not been able to offer more classes," says OTC President Hal Higdon. They'll now have more than 100,000 square feet of classroom and workforce development space, thanks to Reuben and Mary Lou Casey. The couple, in their 80s, built two warehouses in Lebanon a couple years ago, and not having leased them, they decided to donate.

"When we found out that they were community college graduates, that their son, who now has a PHD, started at a community college, we understood that they understood that the gift they gave to us will pay dividends for Lebanon and the surrounding area for years to come," says Higdon.

The citizens of Lebanon and the surrounding area also understand what this means. "It's wonderful! It's kinda like winning the lottery," says Ben Jones, President of America's Heatland Economic Partnership.

In fact, developing a community college in the area has been part of the city of Lebanon's strategic plan. "That is a multi-year or multi-decade project, and here in one day, we have it done, and it's great to partner with OTC," says Jones.

It will be a perfect opportunity for students in the A plus program to get their first two years of college at no cost, right at home. "I think this new campus is going to be a renewed effort to allow young people to stay in their community, to find advanced educational opportunities, to find workforce development opportunities, and build the local economy there in Lebanon," says Springfield businessman and Lebanon native Howard Fisk.

With triple the percent of workers in manufacturing compared to other cities in the state, city leaders say OTC is a perfect fit. "We build things in Lebanon, and this is a vital tool for us," says Jones.

The community couldn't be more grateful. "We're very blessed in Lebanon to have a family that thinks that much of our area to give us a gift like that," says Jones.

OTC says it will move it's robotic welding program to the site on Highway MM this Spring or Summer, probably some other classes by Fall, but larger numbers by next Spring. This site will eventually replace OTC's current location in Lebanon.

One of the buildings will be ready to offer workforce development training this spring; the other will be ready for credit classes this fall.

OTC leaders said at the news conference that the Caseys didn't have a previous connection to OTC. They own business properties all over the country but decided they couldn't use the property in Lebanon. The Caseys were trying to decide what to do with the property when OTC approached them and explained the college's need.

The Caseys weren't at the news conference. They talked about the gift in a recorded video. They said they attended a community college, so they have good feelings toward that type of institution.

The OTC Foundation is in the midst of its first-ever Major Gifts Capital Campaign; this gift fulfills the Foundation’s $3 million fundraising goal for the Campaign’s Workforce Development Initiative. It’s also seeking $2 million in donations for a Center for Health Education, $2 million for student support programs, and $2.5 million for scholarships.

OTC has nearly 13,000 students seeking Associates degrees and certificates in a variety of technical, allied health, and two-year transfer degree programs, as well as workforce development opportunities and non-credit courses. The Lebanon center is one of five places where it offers classes. The others are its main campus in Springfield, the Richwood Valley campus between Ozark and Nixa, and smaller centers in Branson and Waynesville.