Wilson Center Opens In Buena Vista
Growing up in Buena Vista, Joe Wilson recalls his father taking him to the Robey Motor Company each year when the Ford dealership would unveil its new models for the upcoming year. Those were festive occasions but not nearly as momentous as the one that brought Wilson out to the same location this past Friday morning, along with numerous other dignitaries.
They descended on 2045 Forest Avenue in Buena Vista for the grand opening of Mountain Gateway Community College’s Joe Wilson Workforce Center, which is slated to train the next generation of trades workers beginning this fall.
Wilson, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who attended Parry McCluer High School and Washington and Lee University, donated the former Courtesy Motors building that once housed the Robey Motor Company. The building has undergone a $7.3 million restoration that has transformed it into a workforce training center and hub of Mountain Gateway’s new downtown Buena Vista campus.
“The anticipated economic impact of this facility,” said Dr. John Rainone, president of MGCC, “[is that it is expected to] generate 168 new jobs, retain 457 existing jobs and contribute more than $11 million in investment to our regional economy. This is not just a building—it is a catalyst for growth.”
Addressing a gathering at the center, Rainone said, “Inside these walls, students will receive hands-on train- page 2 ing in high-demand fields: welding, precision machining, diesel technology, construction, [commercial driving licenses], plumbing and more. This center more than doubles our training capacity and is built with intention – to connect people directly to the careers that sustain families and build communities.
“We’re a lso p roud t o b e launching the MG-TEC IT Academy here [in the fall]. This program will welcome high school students and fast-track them into careers in IT, cybersecurity and cloud computing – creating clear pathways for young learners in a rapidly evolving economy.”
The center, he continued, “represents more than bricks and mortar. It represents a shared vision – a commitment to workforce development, to educational access and to the belief that every person deserves the chance to thrive. The Joe Wilson Workforce Center is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with purpose and perseverance.”
Rainone lauded Wilson, “a proud son of Buena Vista [who] exemplifies what hard work and community spirit can accomplish. From delivering newspapers to building a successful business and real estate career, Joe’s story is rooted in perseverance. His donation of the former Courtesy Motors and Robey Ford buildings laid the literal and symbolic foundation for this project.” Addressing him directly, he said, “Joe, your belief in this community and in the power of education has made this center possible. On behalf of the entire MGCC community and the students who will walk through these doors – thank you.”
Rainone noted that more than 130 individual donors had given to the campaign that raised funds for the center. He alluded to an initial $400,000 gift from the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation that enabled MGCC to partner with Wilson to acquire the building. That first gift led to three subsequent donations totaling more than $1 million. The U.S. Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration made a $3 million investment to provide the critical infrastructure for the project.
“Many individuals played a role in securing this grant, and we are grateful for your belief in our college and this region,” he said. “This project would not have moved forward without the extraordinary vision and generosity of our top partners.”
Other speakers Friday included Carlene Cassidy, chief executive officer of the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Inc.; Dr. David Dore, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System; John Stone, chairperson of the MGCC Real Estate Foundation Board of Directors; and Wilson.
Cassidy recalled meeting with Rainone on site at what she described was an “abandoned mess.” Rainone, she said, “shared his vision” for what he hoped to create from the dilapidated structure. The facility he envisioned “aligned with our mission,” and thus began a fortuitous partnership. The result, she said, is a “win, win, win” for the community. The center is creating a “pathway to prosperity … providing in-demand programs … it’s changing lives.”
Dore said the trades programs offered by the center would offer a viable alternataive to a traditional fouryear college path. A recent study, he said, showed that 70 percent of teens are exploring other options. “They don’t have to be buried in six-figure debt” in order to attain financially rewarding careers, he noted.
Wilson alluded to his upbringing in Buena Vista and remembered how education has played an important part of his life, and how fortunate he is to be able to help provide training opportunities for future generations “My wife Mary and I are proud to be part of this dedication,” he declared.
