To build the center, Ranken will have to tear down three old industrial buildings at 4300, 4324 and 4321 Finney Street. It already owns the land as well as plenty of other real estate in the neighborhood just to the east of its campus off Page Boulevard.

The college has long-term plans there, too.

“Just like Cortex is to the tech industry, I’d like to be the same thing to the manufacturing industry,” Shoun said, referring to the complex of labs and offices in the Central West End. “We’d like to turn that whole block there into a manufacturing corridor.”

He thinks Ranken can build more training and learning centers as well as attract private businesses looking to expand with a new shop or facility. There’s an available workforce ready to be taught right next door.

“I’m giving them 2,000 potential students that are trained and ready to work,” Shoun said.

The new campus is dependent on a $2.5 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration, but Shoun said Ranken is “pretty confident about it.”

Ranken is seeking $200,000 in local matching funds for the grant from St. Louis’ Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, which voted to approve using some of its funds on Thursday.