HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hutchinson, Kan. – Hutchinson Community College has been awarded a $708,965 FRAME (Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education) Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The funding will support the construction of three new residential dwellings in Hutchinson, providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students while addressing the community’s affordable housing needs.
As part of the project, students in HutchCC’s and USD308’s Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy’s Construction Technology program will build a duplex in the 600 block of East Avenue A, gaining real-world experience in residential construction from foundation to finish. In addition, the college is partnering with Interfaith Housing and Community Services to construct a single-family, stand-alone home on 10th Avenue. Interfaith will employ Youth Apprentices associated with the Construction Technology program in the building of this home.
“These projects represent a win-win for our community,” said Dr. Tricia Paramore, President of Hutchinson Community College. “Our students are developing marketable, in-demand skills while contributing directly to Hutchinson’s housing development and revitalization efforts.”
The FRAME program is a statewide initiative designed to increase the supply of affordable housing across Kansas by fostering partnerships between educational institutions, nonprofit housing providers, and local communities. Other partners collaborating on this project are the City of Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Land Bank, the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Joel Haag from Mann and Company Architects, Interfaith Housing, GAF Roofing, in addition to several local contractors.
“We’re proud to support Hutchinson Community College and its partners through the FRAME program,” said Kerri Falletti, Grassroots Strategy Developer at the Kansas Department of Commerce. “This grant not only helps build homes — it builds futures by equipping students with critical construction skills while strengthening communities across Kansas.”
Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion slated for 2026.