Kirkwood to break ground on center near Washington

WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) ? Kirkwood Community College says construction will begin soon on a $9 million regional center in Washington County.

Cedar Rapids-based Kirkwood said it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for the center that will be built northwest of Washington on an eight-acre plot of land donated by Jim and Margaret Dunn.

Kirkwood President Mick Starcevish says the land donation and a tax increase approved by voters in 2011 will "bring much-needed advanced technology training" to the county when the center opens in 2014.

Kirkwood says the center will include hands-on technical programs and college-level arts and science courses that will be available for free to local high school students.

Traditional college courses, continuing education programs and other training will also be offered there.