The sun was shining, but even the sun took a back seat to the beaming faces of students, instructors and community partners at the ribbon cutting April 24, 2007 for the newly completed home built by Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College students and funded by the Utah Housing Corporation.

The home is located at 708 E 450 N. in Ogden and is adjacent to the ATC which makes it very convenient for students to work on the job and learn skills in carpentry, bricklaying, electrical and cabinetmaking.  The home is 1472 sq. ft. and includes 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 2 car garage, central air and brick and vinyl exterior. It is listed at $135,000.

Roman Jorgenson, a cabinetry student, and an immigrant from Russia commented that he was very grateful to be able to come from another country and find such a wonderful program that could teach him skills to be successful in this country. Jorgenson stated, “This has been a great team, we’re not only students, we’re friends and everyone has worked so well together on this project.”  Ben Baker, another student from California who found out about the ATC on the internet, echoed other’s comments about the high quality of the program, the instructors and the college. “It’s such a great school, he commented, Mike Foley (project leader) doesn’t just teach, he becomes your mentor and friend.”

Curtis Nielsen, program director for the Construction Technology programs, explained that they construct the home in partnership with the Utah Housing Corporation (UHC).  UHC provides the construction financing and handles the sale of the home while the ATC provides the labor.  Other community and employer partners contributing to the construction were Sorenson Construction, Woolsey and Sons Painting, Scott Bone Drywall, RK Roofing and Dalton Doors.

Larry Fokner and Scott Harmon, representatives from the Utah Housing Corporation commented on the remarkable partnership UHC has had with the OWATC. Fokner stated that, “over the past 10 years UHC has partnered with ATC’s in building 100 homes in the state of Utah. We construct well-built affordable homes where a significant portion of the savings, by using student labor, is passed on to the home buyer.” Eligible buyers are screened based on family size and gross annual income. 

C. Brent Wallis, President of the OWATC, expressed how proud he was of the accomplishments this program has made over the years.  He emphasized the benefit of hand-on learning provided at the college.  “You can’t learn how to swing a hammer by looking at one in a book,” he said.  He further counseled students, “Go do something great with your trade.  You are only a few who can drive down a street and say, ‘I built that.”

For more information on programs at the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College visit www.owatc.edu

For more information on the ECHO program through the Utah Housing Corporation or qualifications for buyers visit www.utahhousingcorp.org