LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Wheels Manufacturing's owners have made a $20,000 donation to a regional community college foundation to help develop a pipeline of skilled manufacturing workers in Colorado.
Wheels' owners, Dave and Cindy Batka, made the donation to the Front Range Community College Foundation. Half of their donation will fund scholarships encouraging students to obtain one of the many manufacturing degrees and certificates offered by the college. The remaining $10,000 will establish a scholarship endowment. The remaining $10,000 will establish a scholarship endowment.
"We hope this endowment motivates other companies and individuals to invest with us in the future of manufacturing in Colorado," Cinday Batka said.
Ryan McCoy, executive director of the foundation, said, "This generous and creative gift is very welcome and well targeted. It will not only make a difference to the 5,900 manufacturing companies in the state that are facing a shortage of skilled workers, but it also will make a difference to many of our hardworking, deserving students who are striving for success."
The Batkas started the business in Boulder in 1988. It began as a small machine shop producing cog removal tools and chain ring spacers. It grew into a large-scale manufacturing facility producing a line of small parts totaling over 900 products. It is now located in Louisville, about 10 miles from its original location.
More information: blog.frontrange.edu.
