As participation in Highland Community College’s (HCC) Agriculture program continues to grow, a grant secured by State Senator Andrew Chesney helps ensure students will have access to enhanced hands-on learning and field work.
On Wednesday, August 7, Chesney joined HCC President Chris Kuberski, HCC Foundation Director Dan Dick, and other college representatives for the official groundbreaking for a pump house at the school’s research plots. The building will include an upstairs meeting space and will serve as a central operation hub for a new sub-irrigation system installed across the school’s research plots earlier this year. A second building near the pump station will provide additional storage space for equipment.
“Through the generosity of donors and supporters such as Senator Chesney, Highland continues to invest in our academic programs and support services to ensure that we are providing a quality education and exceptional learning experience for our students,” said Kuberski. “The sub-irrigation system and related pump house are Phase I of a multi-layered project to enhance and expand our Agriculture program. This project positions us to be the Agriculture hub of Northwest Illinois which is our ultimate goal.”
The Agriculture program at HCC is supported by numerous public-private partnerships, and Chesney’s assistance in obtaining a $150,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) ignited a successful fundraising effort that has netted more than $600,000 so far through the Highland Foundation’s Legacy Campaign, local bonds, and private donor support.
“This investment in agriculture in NW Illinois was led by Senator Chesney,” said Dick. “These public funds he secured from the State of Illinois, combined with private support from the Legacy Campaign, has created an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars into Highland Agriculture.”
Dick continued, “The estate of Steve Switzer has also played a transformative role as we bring the first community college sub-irrigation system online later this year. This visionary concept utilizing public-private partnership will greatly benefit educational opportunities for Highland students.”
The DCEO grant was secured by Chesney while he served in the IL House of Representatives. Chesney was elected to the IL Senate in 2022, and said he is pleased to see the results of the grant coming to fruition.
“It was a privilege to join officials from HCC for Wednesday’s groundbreaking for the new pump house,” said Chesney. “I work extremely hard to bring state grant funds to Northwest Illinois and the 45th District, and this investment into HCC will benefit students for years to come. It also positions the Agriculture program at HCC as the best in the region and state.”
