Swing away … DMC, Aransas County Reps and Other Dignitaries Kick-off Rockport Renovation for Del Mar College Workforce Development Center–Aransas County

North side of former primary school becoming center for job training and other educational opportunities focused on preparing Aransas County and surrounding community residents for identified unique workforce needs in region

Article by Melinda Eddleman
(Updated 4/9/25)

The Little Bay Primary School served as the venue to educate Rockport-Fulton area youngsters for decades. But on Jan. 30, Del Mar College (DMC), Aransas County and state and national representatives took swings with gold-painted sledgehammers to a pre-fabricated sheetrock wall on the north side of the former elementary school to symbolize a new beginning as the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center–Aransas County.

The “Workforce Rising: The Future of Workforce Training in Aransas County” renovation kick-off moves forward the $2.5 million-plus project for renovation to begin that will breathe new life into the 16,000-square-foot facility as it continues serving the region’s residents, including those living in Aransas County and surrounding communities.

Addressing the Crowd_DMC Workforce Development Center-Aransas County Renovation Kick-off_013025

Del Mar College President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla addresses guests attending the renovation kick-off event held on Jan. 30, 2025, to signify a new beginning for the former Little Bay Primary School as the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County. Once completed, the center will offer workforce training and higher education opportunities to residents linving in Aransas County and surrounding communities. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

After a Few Good Swings_A Look From the Back

After Del Mar College (DMC), Aransas County and Texas Legislature representatives took a few good swings, a large hole sits in the middle of the backside of a pre-fabricated sheetrock wall located outside the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County. The former elementary school will house several workforce training and higher education offerings, ranging from dual enrollment and academic programs to Continuing Education and Corporate Services courses. DMC and Aransas County representatives held a renovation kick-off event on Jan. 30, 2025, at the center in Rockport, Tx., which will undergo interior modernization throughout the spring and summer before opening in fall 2025. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

Ready for Action_Gold-Painted Sledgehammers

Gold-painted sledgehammers rest on the tailgate of a pickup truck, ready for the big moment signifying the renovation of the former Little Bay Primary School into the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County in Rockport, Tx. College, Aransas County and Texas Legislative officials used the sledgehammers to knock holes in a pre-fabricated sheetrock wall as part of a renovation kick-off event on Jan. 30, 2025. Completed renovation of the facility is expected by fall 2025 with the center offering workforce training and higher education opportunities to residents of Aransas County and surrounding communities. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

After a Few Good Swings

A large hole sits in the middle of the pre-fabricated sheetrock wall located outside the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County, a former elementary school that will house several workforce training and higher education offerings, ranging from dual enrollment and academic programs to Continuing Education and Corporate Services courses. Del Mar College and Aransas County representatives held a renovation kick-off event on Jan. 30, 2025, at the center in Rockport, Tx., which will undergo interior modernization throughout the spring and summer before opening in fall 2025. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

The event also recognized local donor support from both individuals and businesses who raised through the Del Mar College Foundation over $400,000 toward the project.

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This facility and its renovation are the result of strong partnerships that go back several years, from the local to the federal level, along with the support of many generous donors. The new Del Mar College Workforce Development Center–Aransas County will be a game-changer for area residents. And, in the near future, this building will be a hub of activity that will make a difference in the lives of anyone seeking meaningful, marketable workforce training in Aransas County and beyond.

Dr. Mark Escamilla, Del Mar College President and Chief Executive Officer

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Dr. Escamilla added, “The Center will bring our world-class programs closer to your home.”

Located on Highway 35 North in Rockport, completion of the renovation project is anticipated by Spring 2026 (update) and will serve between 400 to 800 students annually. Design work has been completed by Turner | Ramirez Architects.

Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County_Exterior View

Shown is the exterior of the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County, located in Rockport, Tx., and formerly known as the Little Bay Primary School. The college has partnered with Aransas County representatives to bring workforce training and higher education opportunities to county residents and surrounding communities through more dual enrollment, academic programs, Continuing Education and Corporate Services offerings. Renovation was kicked-off on Jan. 30, 2025, with an anticipated opening in Spring 2026. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

The project first began as a collaboration among Del Mar College, Aransas County, the Aransas County Partnership Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2021 with initial funding coming from a $1.7 million EDA grant. Additional funds include the $400,000 raised by Aransas County business leaders and private donors to support the project and the area’s economy with a well-trained workforce once the Center opens.

Lenora Keas, DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, noted, “Local, private fundraising has been critical to making the Center a reality with local donors contributing over $440,000, but further support is needed to get us over the finish line.”

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Our common goal here is to offer skills training and education that’s unique to the region, in demand by employers and focused on today’s economy. Opportunities provided through the Center will help to diversify the economy in the county, achieve higher wages and enhance employment opportunities for those who live here.

Lenora Keas, Del Mar College Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

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In addition to remarks by Dr. Escamilla and Keas during the event, Aransas County Partnership Economic Development Corporation representatives also spoke, including John Jackson, Past President and current Board Secretary, and current President Jeffrey Sjostrom, along with Texas Legislature Rep. Todd Hunter, District 32.

View clips of all five speakers’ remarks below:

Also, during the event, the AEP Foundation presented an additional $75,000 toward the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County project.

Current donors who have provided additional private funding through the Del Mar College Foundation are ACE Hardware, AEP Foundation, Blanton Builders, Charles Moreau, Coastal Bend Waste, Del Mar College Foundation, Aransas County Independent School District, Aransas County ISD Education Foundation, Aransas County, Bob and Harriet Parker, Capital Leasing, Charlie and Carla Belaire, City of Rockport, Jatin and Jatel Bhakta, John and Debbie Jackson, Karen Mella Realtors, Kim and Paul Foutz, Margaret Sue Rust Foundation, Nystrom Family Foundation, Redfish Lodge Partners LLC, Richard and Joy Dias and Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

AEP Foundation Donation_DMC Workforce Development Center-Aransas County Renovation Kick-off_013025

The Del Mar College Foundation will offer scholarships once the center opens, and donations toward supporting scholarship funds and renovation work are currently being accepted. To inquire, contact the DMC Office of Development at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu.

Once completed, the Center will include classrooms, labs and additional space to house high-demand marketable skills training that builds a sustainable workforce in the Aransas County area. Training strategically targets occupations identified by the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend that meet Aransas County’s local and regional needs, including:

• Health Sciences
• Public Safety/Fire/EMS
• Building/Construction Trades
• Light Industrial/Manufacturing
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship
• Computer-Aided Design/Drafting
• Communications & Broadcasting
• General Education, Continuing Education and Certification Programs
• Training offered by DMC Corporate Services

Classes and training will be available to everyone – young adults seeking a career, adults who want to up-skill and re-skill for essential jobs and those who simply want to re-enter the workforce.

Over the years, DMC has already partnered through its Dual Enrollment program with Rockport-Fulton Independent School District. The Center will provide students access to more courses and programs, along with technology and hands-on training equipment, to prepare them for the regional workforce and economy. Academic coursework will also provide students the opportunity to complete programs at Del Mar College or transfer credits to area universities.

Ready to Take a Swing

Del Mar College (DMC) administrators, Aransas County representatives and a Texas Legislative dignitary pose with the gold-painted sledgehammers in preparation to “take a swing” at a fabricated sheetrock wall to signify the beginning of interior renovations of the former Little Bay Primary School now known as the De l Mar College Workforce Development Center – Aransas County. The renovation launch was held Jan. 30, 2025, with college officials anticipating the re-opening of the facility in Spring 2026. Posing for the group photo are (from left) DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas; Dr. Mark Escamilla, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer; former Aransas County Judge Burt Mills; Representative Todd Hunter, Texas Legislature (District 32); Aransas County Judge Ray Garza; Nancy Bolting, Board of Directors Chair of the Aransas County Partnership Workforce Development Corporation ACPWDC); John Jackson, former ACPWDC Board Secretary and Past President; Dr. Lesley Austin, Rockport-Fulton Independent School District Superintendent; ACPWDC President Jeffrey Sjostrom; and Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

About Del Mar College

Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.