STEM BEST adds to more than $2 million in grants for Mount Ayr project

MOUNT AYR — Halfway through the major building timeline, Southwestern Community College’s and Mount Ayr Community School District’s new Career and Technical Education Training Center has received a monetary boost from the state of Iowa.

In January, it was announced Mount Ayr was one of 31 Iowa school districts receiving STEM BEST grants from the Iowa Department of Education.

The STEM BEST program “encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side by side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize high-demand skills for the workplace.” Grants issued work to further this mission.

Mount Ayr Superintendent Jason Shaffer and High School Principal Josh Vanderflught applied for and received $50,000 to use for the new CTE training center.

“[The grant] is going to be very important to help supply the most up-to-date technology devices for the career academy programs we’re putting in there,” Vanderflught said. “It will be used toward making sure we’ve got the newest and best equipment we’ve got for the students to work on.”

Other funding for the CTE project include a $1 million Career Academy Incentive Fund grant, a $500,000 DEKKO grant and a $685,000 Economic Development Administration grant. The rest of the the $3.8 million project will be covered by the school district and private donors.

Ground was broken on the project at the end of October, with substantial completion expected by April and classes beginning in August for the fall semester. Now halfway through the major construction stage, Vanderflught said solid progress has been made.

“It’s looking great. They’ve got the foundation and everything laid out there. The building has arrived. It’s a prefab metal building, so all the pieces are out here and they’re going to start constructing that soon,” Vanderflught said. “It looks to be on track, so we’re hoping to open next fall and have kids in there from our district and surrounding districts.”

The college reiterated this sentiment.

“It’s exciting to see this worthwhile project come to fruition in Ringgold County. The Mount Ayr Community School District and supporting partners are working diligently to secure necessary external funding to assist with construction costs and purchase advanced technology and equipment,” a SWCC statement said “Once this regional facility is constructed, instructors will have the ability to offer premier career and technical education training for area high school students.”

Working with SWCC for educational programs, the center plans to offer automotive repair technology, welding technology, nurse assisting and education.

Along with Raiders, students from area districts will be able to utilize this space. Partnering schools include Bedford, Central Decatur, Diagonal and Lamoni.

Vanderflught said the new center will provide opportunities for more students to access these important programs.

“I’m just excited that our kids are going to have the opportunity to participate in these programs and get a leg up to graduate high school with some of the certifications instead of waiting until after secondary school to get enrolled and get going,” Vanderflught said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids; sometimes there’s barriers in the way, and with it being through the high school, the school districts pay for the courses for these students, so it opens the door and removes some possible barriers for these students and kids that otherwise might not have that chance.”

Other Southwest Iowa school districts receiving 2026-27 STEM BEST grants include Diagonal and Harlan.