​Christopher Bjorke, Portland Business Journal

Portland Community College will acquire 17 acres in Scappoose for a new workforce training center, the college announced Friday.

The facility will focus on advanced manufacturing instruction, including machining, computer numerically controlled operation, welding and mechatronics and will complement the work of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center’s OMIC R&D, according to a PCC announcement.

“We’re thrilled to share that PCC now has land in Scappoose, and even happier that construction will soon begin,” said PCC Executive Vice President Sylvia Kelley in the announcement. “Many thanks to our constituents in Columbia County, who have patiently waited as the college worked diligently to make this project a reality.”

A letter of intent from the college put the price of the land at $3.6 million last year.

The land where the facility will be built is north of Wagner Court and east of West Lane Road. The college plans to hold a groundbreaking celebration in this winter or spring, and the facility will likely be open by spring of 2021.

The training facility will also serve the city of Scappoose with career technical education and other courses, according to PCC.

“PCC’s partnership in Scappoose was something we’ve supported wholeheartedly from the very beginning,” Mayor Scott Burge said. “It’s very important for the city. It’s very important for economic development And, it’s very important for the whole OMIC process that’s happening out there.”