The Meridian Technology Center Board of Education has purchased property that will serve as a future campus in Guthrie and expand services to residents in the southern part of its district.

The 20-acre site will be home to a future expansion of the school’s Stillwater campus. “Meridian Technology Center has a long history of working with Guthrie. This area of Logan county is one of the fastest growing areas of the Meridian district,” said Dr. Douglas Major, Superintendent/CEO. “Part of our mission is to help power the local economy. Now, having a location in Guthrie means we can provide additional services to residents and businesses in their own community.”

The new development will be a multi-use facility, according to Major. It will include space for short courses focused on personal and professional development, business and industry training, and training for entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.

“We are very excited about the investment in Guthrie that Meridian Technology Center is making. They are longtime partners of Guthrie Public Schools and this soon-to-be visible presence only strengthens that relationship,” said Dr. Mike Simpson, Superintendent of Guthrie Public Schools.

Meridian Technology Center offers short courses, Business and Industry services, entrepreneurial support, full-time career training programs and GED test preparation to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts.

“Oklahoma’s CareerTech system provides comprehensive career and technology education throughout the state. Oklahoma’s system is often used as a model for programs across the United States and around the world. To have a Meridian Technology Center campus in Guthrie will be a decided asset for area residents and local business and industry,” said Guthrie City Manager Leroy Alsup.

“The workforce development training that will be provided by the future campus will not only benefit our existing business and industry, it will be a key incentive to help attract additional new and expanding businesses to our community. Meridian Tech’s competency-based education will provide students with the skills employers are seeking in the workplace,” added Alsup. “The announcement of a future Meridian Technology Center Campus in Guthrie is exciting news indeed and a welcomed addition that will make our community more competitive and viable going forward.”

Meridian Tech will gather input from residents before moving forward with construction plans. The Meridian Technology Center district is divided into five geographic areas and is governed by a five-member Board of Education. Board members live in and represent their district for a five-year term. Current board members include Stillwater residents Dr. Joe Williams, president; Gary Johnson, clerk; and Jerry Franklin, member; Randy Kellogg, Guthrie, serves as vice president; and Sherri Huneycutt, Perry, serves as deputy clerk.

“The strengths of economic development are simple – a base of strong local leadership, an educated workforce and local companies meeting community needs. Add to that expanding local companies and entrepreneurial development of new business. The quality of that base determines the ability for recruitment of outside companies,” said Randy Kellogg, vice president of the Meridian Technology Center Board of Education. “For recruitment to be successful, leadership, an educated workforce, business retention and expansion must come first. This addition helps to do that through Meridian’s mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures.”

Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, Business and Industry services and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts.

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.