This is an architect’s rendering of the view of the proposed entrance as Biddeford Regional Center of Technology builds a new addition to accommodate new programs and expansion of existing ones. Image by Leah Shaffer/Mobile Design Studio

BIDDEFORD – The quest to build an addition to the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology to allow introduction of new programs and better provide space for some existing ones took a couple of steps forward in recent weeks.

The Planning Board on March 1 gave final approval for the site plan for the two-story addition in a unanimous vote.

That action means the project can soon be put out to bid, followed by construction.

“We’re hoping it will be ready for fall 2024,” said BRCOT Director Paulette Bonneau. “We’re being very thorough; its moving along.” She said the project is where it should be on the timeline.

And while the school department had spoken earlier of a $7 million state grant for the project, Gov. Janet Mills formally announced it, among grants to other Maine communities, at a news conference at Oxford Hills Technical School a week ago.

Career and technical education enrollment has grown by nearly 11 percent during Mills’ tenure as governor, with a nearly 300 percent increase in exploratory program enrollment that allows freshman and sophomores to sample multiple programs to follow their interests, according to a news release from Mills’ office.

“This has been a long time coming,” Bonneau told the Planning Board “and wouldn’t be happening without the grant funding.”

The award funds construction of a 9,420 square foot two-story addition to the existing building to house a new culinary arts program, a new travel, tourism and hospitality program and a new athletic training program as well as expand existing plumbing, heating, and emergency medical technician programs.

The addition will be adjacent to Tiger Gym and behind the current BRCOT building.

“Through these grants, we’re able to offer more workforce training programs and give students more choice and opportunity,” Bonneau said at the governor’s news conference announcing the award.

The new construction will address much-needed improvements and allow students increased choices in career pathways, school officials said.

It will also allow for future middle school programming to explore students’ interests and provide space for workforce training and skill enrichment classes through Biddeford Adult Education.

School superintendent Jeremy Ray, speaking at a BRCOT news conference about the project in November, noted the existing building, constructed in 1969, has undergone a couple of renovations over time. School leaders had first looked at adding a culinary program in 2013, but that did not materialize. In later years, the school department explored off-campus locations, as space became a consideration. In the end, an on-campus solution emerged.

“We’ve outgrown a building that wasn’t full 10 years ago,” Ray said.

And while construction of the new space is not expected to be ready until next fall, Bonneau said BRCOT is forging ahead. She said the school will offer the travel and tourism portion of the hospitality program and athletic training, in a couple of existing classrooms, starting this fall.

“It will be tight, but we will make do,” said Bonneau.