Ranken Eying Several Wentzville Locations

Ranken Technical College, which plans to open a satellite campus in , is in the process of touring prospective locations for its new facility, city officials said Tuesday.

But the popular tech school doesn't have long. According to the , the school must be up and running and ready for students by the time the Fall 2012 semester begins. Traditionally, Fall semester classes begin sometime at the end of August.

One of the potential locations is said to be a building near CenturyLink's offices, located on the east side of on CenturyLink Drive.

Larry Tucker, the city's marketing and business development manager, confirmed Ranken's interest in the location, but said the college is also exploring other options as well. 

"The CenturyLink building is one of several properties that they are touring and considering," Tucker said. "I can't say that they have made any difinitive decisions. They are under some time constraints, though, with getting the building secured and offering classes."

Tucker said Ranken needs about 10,000 square feet of space to open its initial facility. With that description in mind, dozens of locations would be available in Wentzville.

However, the location must also allow for future expansion into adjacent leasable space, which could make the CenturyLink location ideal.

Ranken, according to the school's website, offers technical training in automotive, construction, electrical, information technology and machining. For a complete list of degrees and certificates, CLICK HERE. The college has a 98 percent placement rate for graduates.

The college will enter into a three year lease, in which the city would pay for the $80,000 a year rent. The city will also be on the hook for the $120,000 a year price tag that comes with staffing the facility—a $320,000 bill over the course of the three-year lease. However, the staffing costs can be offset if the city seeks additional funding from outside sources.

For more on the agreement between the city and Ranken, .