December 18, 2024 (Goodland, KS) - Fort Hays Tech | Northwest is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. This seed funding will enable the college to launch an innovative home-building initiative in Goodland, KS, designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities and sustainable housing for the community.
The grant will support the construction of homes by students enrolled in Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s Construction program, with collaborative contributions from the Electrical and Plumbing program students, who will wire and plumb the homes. The first home, to be built on a lot generously provided by the City of Goodland, will begin construction in August 2025. Upon completion, the homes will be put on the market and sold. The proceeds of the sale will be reinvested back into the construction fund to allow for future builds in perpetuity. As enrollment grows, the long-term goal of the program is to construct two homes per year, contributing to the growth and vitality of the Goodland community.
“This grant from the Patterson Family Foundation not only allows us to help address the housing needs of our community but also provides our students with a real-world learning experience,” said Ben Schears, President of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest. “We are building more than homes—we are building a skilled workforce for the region.”
The inaugural project will feature a Passive House, the world’s leading standard in energy-efficient construction. Passive Houses are designed to achieve unparalleled energy efficiency, requiring minimal energy for heating and cooling while maintaining superior comfort and building durability. These homes set a benchmark for quality and sustainability, aligning with the college’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
A key figure in this initiative is Joseph Dobbs, the instructor for the Construction program at the college. Dobbs is certified in Passive House construction, which brings invaluable expertise to the project. His certification ensures the new homes will meet the highest energy efficiency standards in the country. Dobbs' guidance will allow students to learn cutting-edge techniques and principles of Passive House design, equipping them with skills that are in demand in the construction industry.
"This grant is a game-changer for our students, giving them unparalleled hands-on experience while mastering techniques like Passive House construction,” said Joseph Dobbs, Construction Instructor. “We're not just teaching construction; we're teaching building science and equipping future builders to meet the highest standards in sustainability and efficiency. This is a huge win for the community and workforce."
This initiative exemplifies Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s mission to empower students with hands-on learning experiences while making a lasting impact on rural communities. The partnership developed with the Patterson Family Foundation and the City of Goodland underscores the collaborative spirit driving this project forward.
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest is grateful for the Patterson Family Foundation’s intentional investment in rural communities and looks forward to the impact this partnership and project will bring to Goodland for decades to come.
You can keep up with the Construction Technology program online at www.fhnw.edu/programs/construction-technology. For more information about Fort Hays Tech | Northwest and its programs, please visit www.fhnw.edu.
