KINGMAN – Mohave Community College (MCC) and the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce (KACC) are going to be roommates. They’re moving in together in downtown Kingman and will share space inside the former fitness facility at 309 E. Beale St.
The college purchased and remodeled the 10,000 sq. ft. building for about $1.6 million. President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein said the college will transition two Small Business and Development Center employees and a community educator from its campus north of the city limits to the new MCC Beale St. Center downtown.
Klippenstein said bringing the Chamber into the mix creates new synergy and partnerships for MCC and the KCAA to work together to promote business and community betterment. Meeting rooms provide opportunity for community and corporate education classes when needed.
Chamber staff will occupy about 1,000 sq. ft. and host a retail outlet in the front part of the Beale St. Center.
“We are grateful to the college for this opportunity to work together to provide services that will benefit the business community,” said KACC Executive Director Becky Fawson. “We look forward to partnering with SBDC for trainings and have more educational opportunities offered downtown.”
Klippenstein said MCC campuses in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City are better positioned within the river communities while its headquarter campus is more remotely located north of Kingman. He said the Beale St. Center will give the college a better Kingman community presence in a thriving downtown district.
“For us to be in the middle of that and to be able in an evening to run an arts class and you have visibility with the lights on,” Klippenstein said. “There’s just something about being in the middle of all that revitalization. The exposure is attractive and I think it puts MCC at the heart of it.”
Fawson said Chamber staff will occupy the Beale St. Center by the end of the month. College staff will reportedly transition into the building until its fully operational in mid-July.
Dave Hawkins
