Western Nevada College is moving ahead with plans for a vocational and academic training center in Fernley’s Victory Logistics District after the Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the project Sept. 9.
The permit allows Premier Design Build Group to complete tenant improvements inside an existing warehouse at 1740 N. Nevada Pacific Parkway. About 28,500 square feet will eventually be converted into classrooms, instructional laboratories, offices, conference rooms, student support areas and other educational space.
City staff said the center is intended to provide workforce development, vocational education, safety training, technical instruction and academic programs supporting employers in Victory Logistics and elsewhere in northern Nevada. Staff found the project consistent with the city’s master plan and surrounding industrial uses and recommended approval.
Jackson Grout of Mark IV Capital told commissioners that Western Nevada College remains the intended tenant and that the buildout will occur in phases.
The first phase will retain more of the warehouse’s open configuration, with electrical drops, access improvements and training cages for light assembly and electrical instruction. Later phases would build out the rest of the classroom and laboratory space.
The project is being supported by several grants.
Grout said $1 million in federal grant funding has been released and another $9 million is being targeted for next year, although he said securing that future funding will remain a challenge.
Western Nevada College Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dana Ryan said the college also has a $1.8 million grant supporting the project, along with three additional grants totaling about $4.5 million for the buildout.
Ryan said the college hopes to establish the Fernley program within the next two years.
“We are just really committed to being in Fernley to provide the training that's needed for the economic welfare of this community and surrounding communities,” Ryan said.
Courses could eventually include electrical work, manufacturing, HVAC, welding and other skilled trades. Ryan said WNC is already partnering with the Lyon County School District to offer welding instruction in Fernley.
“It’s really technical skilled-trades kind of programs,” she said.
Commissioners also questioned who would attend the center and whether the program could create additional demand for temporary housing in Fernley.
Commissioner Julianne White asked whether the college primarily expected local students or whether the center could attract large numbers of out-of-area workers.
“Is there any chance that it's like every union worker east of the Mississippi needs to come take an electrical course and so then we have like these short-term classes that then require short-term housing for people that we don't already have?” White asked.
Ryan said that is not how the college envisions the center operating.
“This is regular college classes for regular people,” she said, noting that out-of-state students pay higher tuition. “So, this is truly for residents of our region.”
Vice Chair Jenni McCuller also asked whether the facility would essentially be an electrical college. Ryan explained that electrical training would be only one part of a broader technical education program that could also include manufacturing, HVAC and welding.
No members of the public spoke against the application.
Commissioner Angela Lewis moved to approve the conditional use permit with the 12 conditions recommended by city staff. McCuller seconded the motion.
The commission approved the permit 7-0, with White casting what was described during the meeting as an “enthusiastic yes.”
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