Design and Construction Report staff writer
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. (OAK) has broken ground on a 34,400-sq. ft. expansion of Cape Coral Technical College along Santa Barbara Boulevard, the first major addition to the campus since it opened in 1993.
The $21 million project will introduce six new skilled-trades programs, including construction, welding, HVAC, automotive repair, and marine technology, serving more than 150 students annually. Programs were developed with local industry partners to address workforce shortages in Southwest Florida.
The expansion will also expand the school’s dual enrollment program, allowing high school seniors to earn industry certifications while preparing for the workforce.
“This project is about building opportunity for our community,” said Charlie Pease, director of Cape Coral Technical College. “Cape Coral is projected to reach nearly 400,000 residents in the next 25 years, and this expansion will ensure we have a pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet that demand.”
Matthew Zwack, Florida OAK’s Florida division president, said in a statement that the project supports workforce development in the region. “This new facility will give students the skills to succeed while helping our community meet the demands of rapid growth,” he said.
The project team also includes ADG Architecture and Lee County Electric Cooperative as the project’s power partner. Construction is scheduled for completion in August 2026.
OAK, an employee-owned construction management company based in Southwest Florida, has provided construction services for education and workforce training projects in the region since 1982.
