OCCC to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for OCATT Center

Community invited to mark milestone in education, workforce training, and local investment

On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Oregon Coast Community College will celebrate a landmark moment in its history—and in the future of Lincoln County’s economy and youth—with the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades (OCATT) Center.

The event, free and open to the public, will take place at OCCC’s Central County Campus in Newport. Remarks from elected officials, community leaders, and project partners will begin at 11 a.m. A complimentary community lunch will follow from noon to 1 p.m. in the campus parking lot, offering guests the opportunity to speak directly with the project’s architects, builders, and College leadership.

The OCATT Center is a direct result of Lincoln County voters’ overwhelming approval—by nearly a two-to-one margin—of a $33 million bond measure passed in May 2024. The measure supports both the construction of the OCATT Center and significant upgrades to existing OCCC facilities across the county.

“This event marks not just the start of construction, but the beginning of a new chapter for workforce training and career preparation here on the coast,” said OCCC President Dr. Marshall Mease Roache. “We’re deeply grateful to the voters for their support, and we look forward to celebrating with the community that made this project possible.”

The OCATT Center will serve as a hub for advanced technology, trades training, and marine innovation—supporting both local industries, such as the commercial fishing fleet and other local industry, and emerging career pathways for young people in Lincoln County and beyond.

More details about the project, including architectural renderings and ongoing construction updates, can be found at oregoncoast.edu/ocatt.

Event Details:
What: OCATT Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
When: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon (remarks) | Noon – 1 p.m. (lunch and community gathering)
Where: Oregon Coast Community College, Central County Campus, 400 SE College Way, Newport

For questions about the event or media inquiries, contact Dave Price at dave.price@oregoncoast.edu.