WARSAW — When Cardinal Services celebrates its renovated and expanded facilities on Friday, one of the highlights will be the new CTB, Inc. Opportunity Lab.

[caption id="attachment_98404" align="alignright" width="189"] Victor A. Mancinelli[/caption]

Thanks to a generous $1 million pledge from CTB, Cardinal has brought its vision to life, culminating in a state-of-the-art, 3,000-square-foot addition to its main building located along East Winona Avenue at 504 N. Bay Drive.

Cardinal Services Executive Director Vickie Lootens said CTB has stood out for decades as a partner with Cardinal among some 80 other businesses that have developed roles with the agency that works to serve and benefit those with disabilities.

Lootens approached CTB’s CEO Victor A. Mancinelli after hearing him talk at an Optimist Club meeting several years ago about the company's vast global presence that includes 14 different divisions.

Conversations continued and led to more cooperation between CTB and Cardinal, including a $1 million gift put forward to Cardinal's expansion plans and specifically, a new 3,000-square-foot Opportunity Lab that would train clients in ways that have never been available previously.

[caption id="attachment_98405" align="alignright" width="380"] Pictured are some of the clients who work for CTB Inc. Photo provided.[/caption]

"That longterm relationship has provided wages for the individuals we serve for years and years and years," Lootens said earlier this week.

The Lab will set the stage for certification and training for jobs in the community for manufacturing, health care and hospitality.

Cardinal has been a supportive player for CTB  over the years.

"It's provided a great source of skilled labor for part of our manufacturing that is really critical to our operations," said Mindy Brooks, director of corporate marketing, advertising and communications.

The $8 million expansion plan began several years ago and but was interrupted by the pandemic.

Improvements have been made across the entire Cardinal Services property.

Friday's open house is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a ribbon cutting is set for noon.

The public is welcome to attend.

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