Linn-Benton Community College

The activity at two Linn-Benton Community College construction sites in Lebanon is about to increase, and anyone interested in monitoring the progress can watch it happen on the college web site. Site prep and foundation work are being completed for the final buildings at the Advanced Transportation Technology Center and the Healthcare Occupations Center buildings. Walls will start to go up soon. The construction progress is being recorded each day, and the progress is compressed in a brief time-lapse that can be viewed at linnbenton.edu/building-projects by clicking on either the ATTC or HOC link. The site also includes the latest updates on all LBCC building projects. The $7.9 million, 37,000-square-foot ATTC project is being constructed by T.S. Gray Construction and Wildish Construction. It is on budget and is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2016. New construction at the ATTC will include an improved home for the Heavy Equipment Diesel program and the creation of an...

Brian Trice Brian Trice has joined Linn-Benton Community College’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center as manager of its Alternate Fuel Transportation section. The 45-year-old Trice, of Gresham, has been actively involved in the transportation industry for a number of years, helping to transform the industry towards energy independence through his work in alternative fuel energies including compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane, hybrid, hydraulic hybrid and electric. “I’m excited about being at the ATTC,” said Trice. “I’ve had a really good working relationship with these guys over the past few years, and have a lot of passion for working with alternative fuels and working at a grass-roots level to educate the market place.” Trice plans to help grow the alternative fuels side of the ATTC program, offering trade workshops, conferences and expos targeted toward industry.  “Brian Trice is one of the nation’s leaders in organizing alternative fuel conferences,” ...

Fuel system inspector training for compressed natural gas vehicles will be offered at Linn-Benton Community College starting March 20. Training is for industry technicians looking to continue their education. Class covers theory, equipment, safety, and good work practices as well as knowledge of components used in CNG vehicle systems. Learn how to recognize various failure models, preform required reporting procedures and safely handle CNG fuel systems. The class prepares you to take the CSA International Standardized Certification test to become a certified CNG Fuel System Inspector. Class will meet March 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LBCC’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center, 2000 West Oak St., in Lebanon. Cost for the class is $595. Training is provided through LBCC in partnership with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium. For more information or to register, contact the LBCC automotive center at 541- 259-5801.

Automotive technician training for compressed natural gas light-duty vehicles will be offered at Linn-Benton Community College starting March 17. Training is for industry technicians looking to continue their education. Class covers shop safety, installation regulations, CNG concepts, differences between otto, diesel and CNG combustion, as well as knowledge of components used in CNG vehicle systems. Learn about lean-burn technology and how to calculate air-fuel ratios for best vehicle performance, and the operation of the electronic control module, basic diagnostic techniques, trouble codes and procedures for natural gas conversion. Class will meet March 17, 18 and 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LBCC’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center, 2000 West Oak St., in Lebanon. Cost for the class is $795. Training is provided through LBCC in partnership with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium. For more information or to register, contact the LBCC automotive center at 541- 259...

Linn-Benton Community College and Snap-on Incorporated have expanded a long-standing partnership that will deepen Snap-on Tools’ support of automotive technology students and expand regional transportation training opportunities at LBCC’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center . Snap-on , a leading manufacturer and supplier of professional grade tools and diagnostic equipment, will provide its equipment and training support to the college and LBCC students through this expanded partnership agreement. In addition, LBCC will serve as a regional train-the-trainer center, providing training for schools and employers throughout the country to certify trainers in the areas of auto transportation, aviation, energy and manufacturing. LBCC also will become a Snap-on Certification Center for wheel service, mechanical and electronic torque, electric measurement multi-meter, diesel scan tool, and tool control and asset management. “This partnership makes it possible for the college to equip its...

LBCC students learn fine art of automotive work. Consumer’s Power, NW Natural and Pacific Power have donated more than $60,000 to Linn-Benton Community College’s new Advanced Transportation Technology Center, which is located in Lebanon, Oregon. Slated to be ready for students fall term, the donation will be used to support construction of and to purchase equipment for the new training facility. “Consumers Power, Inc. is pleased to be able to help LBCC bring this visionary effort to our local community,” said Roman Gillen, Consumers Power CEO.  “We are interested in looking for ways that alternative fuels can help not only our business, but also help our rural communities and agricultural members become even more competitive at home and abroad.” LBCC’s new center will train student and incumbent workers to service alternative fuel vehicles, working with industry to provide skilled employees and create jobs in the alternative fuels and transportation sector. “With Oregonians spe...

LBCC was awarded $1.5 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help fund an alternative fuels training center in Lebanon, Oregon to train automotive, trucking and heavy equipment technicians. LBCC’s project was one of four projects chosen for funding by the EDA, part of a $7.2 million investment to support business development and job training in distressed communities in Oregon, California, Nevada and Utah. The college’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center will be the only major broad-spectrum training facility for alternative fuel vehicles between Seattle, Washington and San Francisco, California, and will serve as a first step toward creating a base for alternative fuel technology in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. “The support of our partners, both in the public and private sectors, has been extraordinary,” said LBCC President Dr. Greg Hamann. "This center has the potential of positioning our area as a center for the coming wave of alternati...

Propane industry joins forces with LBCC to provide program education. The Pacific Propane Gas Association donated $170,000 to Linn-Benton Community College’s new Advanced Transportation Technology Center for purchase of equipment to train student and incumbent workers to service propane-operated vehicles. LBCC’s new alternative fuels training center in Lebanon, Oregon will work with industry to meet the needs of local and regional businesses. “I am really excited about our partnership with Pacific Propane Gas Association,” said LBCC automotive instructor Bryan Schiedler. “I’ve spoken with many local industry leaders who have asked about various alternate fuels to reduce their cost of fuels.” PPGA’s donation will give existing automotive and heavy equipment students the opportunity to train on some of the latest, most advanced propane systems on late model vehicles, as well as give the college the ability to use these vehicles for demonstration ...

Linn-Benton Community College received a $50,000 grant from Drive Oregon , part of a matching grant program designed to accelerate the growth of Oregon’s electric vehicle industry. The grant will support the purchase of an advanced dynamometer for LBCC’s new Advanced Transportation Technology Center located in Lebanon. The grant is part of six projects totaling $179,926 from Drive Oregon . John McArdle, LBCC Foundation development director, says the college values the connections it is making in Oregon’s growing electric vehicle industry. “This grant will help us meet the growing demand for people who are qualified to develop and maintain electric vehicles and other advanced transportation equipment,” said McArdle. Lester Erlston, CEO of KersTech in Beaverton, noted that his company plans to work in partnership with LBCC to conduct dynamometer testing of its compound motor. Drive Oregon is a non-profit organization working to develop hybrid and electric vehicles and en...

LBCC automotive students Nicholas Waymack, Misty Davis, automotive instructor Bryan Schiedler, Randy Camp (in CoEnergy truck), and automotive student Jamie Gayler. Future site of ATTC in Lebanon. Fueling the Future – Driving Innovation When it comes to fueling our cars, how much we spend at the pump can drive us to seek better, cheaper ways to get to our destinations. Those cheaper, cleaner alternatives aren’t on the horizon –they are already here. Hybrid electric/gas motors, full-on electric motors, biofuels, propane, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cells are being developed and improved upon as viable alternatives to gasoline. The new fuels bring new technology, and the need for people to service the fuel systems. LBCC is positioning itself to provide highly skilled technicians to work on the automobiles and heavy equipment of our future with a new Advanced Transportation Technology Center. The Advanced Transportation Technology Center (ATTC) will serv...

Future site of the Advanced Transportation Technology Center in Lebanon The Linn-Benton Community College Foundation has received the largest single private gift in the 45-year history of the college from an anonymous donor. The $2 million dollar donation is to be used as a matching gift to support the construction and development of LBCC’s new Advanced Transportation Technology Center. LBCC finalized the purchase of an 11-acre site in Lebanon last week that will become home to its auto and diesel programs, and allow space to add hands-on training on alternative fuel technologies. These include compressed natural gas, propane, biofuel, hydrogen fuel cell, and electric and hybrid technologies. The Lebanon site is the former home of PACE Manufacturing, and includes a 35,000-square-foot industrial building. “We are humbled and very grateful for this historic contribution,” said LBCC President Greg Hamann. “Our donor was clear that this gift serves as an inspiration for others t...

Future site of LBCC ATT Center in Lebanon, Oregon -->Linn-Benton Community College has reached an agreement to purchase a former manufacturing facility in Lebanon, where it will develop an education center to train people to work in the growing industry of alternative fuel vehicles in addition to providing space to expand its existing automotive and heavy equipment/diesel technology programs. The LBCC Advanced Transportation Technology Center, which could be fully operational as soon as late 2013, will be the only major training facility in alternative fuel technology between Seattle and San Francisco. Plans also call for fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles, such as compressed natural gas, that could support local conversion of trucking and transportation fleets to take advantage of huge fuel-cost savings. LBCC agreed to a purchase the site, the former home of Pace Manufacturing, for $1.825 million from The Private Bank, Chicago, Ill. The site includes 11 acres a...