History and future of Montgomery Hall discussed
For more than 50 years, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) has been committed to its mission of meeting the technical education and training needs of students and employers in Licking, Knox and Coshocton counties.
The college began offering classes at Coshocton High School in 1977. In 1986, COTC solidified a partnership with the Coshocton County Joint Vocational School to have one full-time staff member and use of classrooms after school hours on an “as available” basis. By 1994, enrollment had increased from 99 to 200 students with an average of 17 classes available each term.
In 2001, a focus group of community leaders and representatives of diverse local interests, such as healthcare, education and business, assembled to evaluate the need for a standalone facility in Coshocton. Thanks to a groundswell of support and a $500,000 Appalachian Technology and Workforce Development Initiative grant, the college secured a vacant space in The Shoppes at Kenwood along one of the primary thoroughfares and near the city’s major retailers.
On Jan. 6, 2003, the new Coshocton Educational Center opened in partnership with COTC, The Ohio State University at Newark, Muskingum College and Hocking College, offering associate degrees in business management, computer programming and computer application technology as well as master’s degrees in teaching and education. Enrollment exceeded expectations, and it soon became clear that more space was needed. To accommodate the growing enrollment, COTC had to secure 12 different locations throughout the community for classes.
In 2005, the college announced its plans to purchase the Inn at Roscoe Village and launched a capital campaign to fund the building renovation. In total, 149 donors contributed more than $5 million. On Jan. 10, 2008, the new campus facility was officially opened as Montgomery Hall to honor the legacy of Edward Montgomery and the tremendous support of the Montgomery Foundation.
For 17 years the college has robustly served the Coshocton community in Montgomery Hall. Partnerships have been cultivated with area businesses and community foundations, and hundreds of local students have pursued a career and a better life thanks to their COTC degree. The Coshocton Promise — a partnership between the college and the Coshocton Foundation — has guaranteed free college for Coshocton County residents with a household income of $60,000 or less since launching in 2018.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, enrollment in two-year colleges across America has declined, including at COTC. Prior to the pandemic, COTC’s total enrollment was 3,471 and, despite recent increases, overall enrollment remains below pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a budget imbalance and the underutilization of facilities. Coshocton County students’ enrollment at COTC continues to decline overall, and the number of students attending classes on the Coshocton campus is at an unsustainable level.
To maintain its long-term financial sustainability, COTC is looking at several options for the future of Montgomery Hall, including:
- leasing out parts of the building that are not in use
- selling parts of the building that are not in use while maintaining ownership of the parts that are necessary to run the college
- selling the entire building and relocating COTC to another right-sized facility
While all three options entail some pros and cons, each option will result in much-needed operational efficiencies.
As COTC President John M. Berry, PhD, explained, the college’s commitment to Coshocton County remains unwavering. “COTC’s vision is to empower lives through accessible education, and that vision is rooted throughout our three-county service area of Licking, Knox and Coshocton. However, we also remain committed to the long-term financial stability of the institution. The sustainability of the organization requires improved organizational efficacy as well as strategic and consistent resource allocation. While the original vision for Montgomery Hall may change in the near future, our commitment to the continued success of our students and the communities we serve is as strong as it’s ever been.”
As COTC explores these options, the college has partnered with the commercial real estate firm of Shai-Hess, LLC to execute the project. Interested parties may contact Brandon Hess, partner and broker, at 740-587-7441 or via email at bhess@shai-hess.com.
President Berry will share more information about the state of the college, including current and future initiatives at the Coshocton campus, at the annual Coshocton Campus Town Hall on Wednesday, March 5 from 3-4:30 p.m. This event is open to the public. More details and registration will be available soon at cotc.edu.
Category: Education
