Address: 2324 S.E. College Loop, Redmond

Owner: Central Oregon Community College

General Contractor: Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co.

Details: Construction crews have started preparing the site for the 37,618 square-foot Central Oregon Community College Technology Education Center on the Redmond campus.

A building permit for the project was issued Tuesday, and work is expected to be completed by June 2014, said Michael McLandress, project manager at Kirby Nagelhout.

McLandress estimates construction will cost $8.3 million. The center is one of the projects funded by the November 2009 bond measure, as well as a $5.7 million match from the state of Oregon, according to COCC’s website.

The two-story building is designed to be flexible and accommodate additional technology programs as they evolve, according to COCC. The college sees the Technology Education Center as a key element in recruiting new businesses and helping existing ones expand.

It will offer technology-related programs, such as digital arts and media and nondestructive testing and inspection, a field that analyzes materials, components and systems for flaws.

Located on the Redmond Campus, near Southeast Airport Way and Southeast Veterans Way, the Technology Education Center will join the existing Manufacturing and Applied Technology Center, where students learn machining, welding, quality assurance and other skills.

“It’s a great project,” McLandress said. “It’s a major addition to the Redmond Campus and COCC’s presence in Central Oregon and Redmond,” he said. “And Kirby Nagelhout is proud to be the builder of the new facility and to be partnering with COCC.”