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MCC Receives $5 Million from Sunderland Foundation for Three Expansion Projects

The Sunderland Foundation, the region’s third-largest, has approved a $5 million grant to support three key expansion projects at Metropolitan Community College. It’s the first time the MCC Foundation has received a gift of at least $1 million, and the money will support construction of three educational buildings that college officials say will be “transformative.”

The three projects supported by the gift include:

  • Engineering Technology building: Construction on the Engineering Technology building on the MCC-Penn Valley campus in midtown Kansas City began in October and is expected to be completed this July. The 6,900-square-foot facility will be home to MCC’s popular Engineering Technology program as well as the FabLab maker space and 3-D printing/prototype lab.
  • Blue River East building: Located on the East Campus of MCC-Blue River in Independence, Missouri, the Blue River East facility will house MCC’s CDL, utility lineman and warehousing/logistics programs, as well as the Great Plains OSHA Education Center. Construction of the 25,000-square-foot facility began in November, with completion anticipated this fall.
  • Advanced Skills Institute (pictured): Located in the former Nazarene Publishing House printing facility and warehouse at 2944 Troost Ave. in Kansas City, the Advanced Skills Institute will house numerous workforce training programs currently at the MCC-Business & Technology campus. Those programs include building maintenance and construction, construction management, computer-integrated machining, HVAC, industrial technology and welding. Renovation of the 101,108-square-foot building is underway and completion is expected near the end of 2021.

The total construction cost for all three projects is approximately $34 million.

“We are extremely appreciative of the generous support from the Sunderland Foundation,” MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty said in announcing the gifts. “These three projects will allow the College to offer a greater level of support and access for students from day one through graduation and into a chosen career path.”

Since 1945, grants from the Sunderland Foundation have helped “build the places where families in distress find help and healing, where young minds grow and thrive, and where communities come together for celebration and inspiration.”

Terry and Peggy Dunn, two huge supporters of MCC and its mission, stated: “We and the MCC Foundation are dedicated to supporting the critical role Metropolitan Community College plays in strengthening Greater Kansas City’s pipeline of homegrown talent. The missions of the Sunderland Foundation and MCC are a natural pairing, as demonstrated by their support of these three exciting projects and the innovative educational programs they will house.”

More information on the Engineering Technology, Blue River East and Advanced Skills Institute projects may be found at here.