2020 Industry Partner Award

Earlier this year, Durant Community School District was ready to take its Industrial Tech program to the next level. The dream was for students to have additional training skills that would set them apart from other candidates and ready for contractors to hire and put them to work right away. As a department that continually serves its community, cleaning trails at Wildcat Den State Park, building handicap ramps with the Lion's Club and much more, achieving this dream now relied on the community helping the school.

Durant decided to buy a trailer plus a skid steer students would learn how to operate. While many businesses helped achieve these purchases, one especially stood out: Star Equipment.

Brad Bowman met to learn about the project then discounted the package to make it affordable and allow funding in hand adequate for the purchase. Star Equipment even helped secure funds toward the purchase, even donating itself. The company also added extra features to ensure student safety and delivered the equipment to Durant. Salespeople followed up several times to make sure everything was working okay, going above and beyond "normal" customer service. Plans are underway for Durant to buy another piece from Star Equipment because their commitment to the Durant program and its students was so amazing 

Without the support of great people and companies like Brad and Star Equipment, Durant High School would not be able offer students the huge and rare opportunity to graduate knowledgeable about how to safely operate a piece of equipment. a qualification that makes them highly marketable and critical assets to the skilled-trades, workforce shortage. 

Thank you for your commitment to the building industry's future.