• A $1 million grant from the Iowa Department of Education’s Career Academy Incentive Fund is the driving force behind the Templeton Regional Center.
  • Students from five area school district are using the 10,700 square foot facility located on Main Street in Templeton.
  • Enrollment at the new facility has skyrocketed from the 29 students taking classes at the Templeton Center last fall to 68 students this fall. That’s a 134.5 percent increase.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this afternoon for the DMACC Templeton Regional Center located in the Carroll County community of Templeton. This facility marks the 13th campus or center where DMACC offers classes.

DMACC President Rob Denson was joined by DMACC Carroll Campus Provost Dr. Joel Lundstrom, Templeton Mayor Ken Behrens, DMACC Board member Jim Gossett, DMACC Carroll Campus Career Advantage Coordinator & Templeton Regional Center Site Director Jen Wollesen and other Carroll County partners in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

he Templeton Regional Center is the brainchild of Wollesen and was funded by a $1 million grant through the Iowa Department of Education’s Career Academy Incentive Fund​.

“All of us at DMACC thank Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education for making this facility possible,” said Rob Denson, President of DMACC. “As we can see from the fall enrollment numbers, the DMACC Templeton Center is serving an important educational need in brining vocational skills to Western Iowa high school students.”

“There’s no better way to meet our workforce needs and grow our economy—especially in rural Iowa—than keeping talented young people in our communities by giving them opportunities to thrive right where they are. Just as this Career Center will do,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. “I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in making this possible. DMACC, the city of Templeton, business leaders in the community, and the five high schools taking advantage of this incredible opportunity.”

The 10,700 square-foot Templeton Regional Center opened in 2022 in a century-old building that was completely remodeled. It now includes classrooms fitted with the latest technology and lab space for hands-on learning in health sciences, construction and electrical trades, and advanced manufacturing. More career paths may be added later.

“I’m impressed with this facility and seeing first-hand its potential to promote economic development and opportunities throughout this region,” said Gossett. “We’ve listened to the needs of this region and workforce concerns. The DMACC Templeton Regional Center is the direct result from those conversations.”

The Center is centrally located to serve high school students from five area districts: IKM-Manning, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Audubon, Exira EHK and Carroll High School. Enrollment at the new facility has jumped from the 29 students taking classes last fall to 68 students this fall. That’s a 134.5 percent increase.

For more information contact Jen Wollesen, the Center’s Director, at (712) 792-8501 or email at jswollesen@dmacc.edu​.