Last Monday, Jackson College held a groundbreaking ceremony for the anticipated Applied Technologies Center. The McFate Group is the architect and construction manager on the 15,000 square-foot building. The ceremony for the $6.8 million project was held on the Jackson College campus in the Jets Hangar, where there were snacks in plastic hard hats, pudding cups with shovel-shaped spoons, and a giant cake featuring a rendering of the future Applied Technologies Center.
The Center will be located on the southeast corner of the Jackson College campus behind the Howser Child Development Center and will support programs focusing on utilities, HVAC, energy, sustainable technology, and Industry 4.0. The facility will even have an indoor pole-climbing school for future line workers to learn and practice with.
The event began with an introduction from Jackson College President Daniel J. Phelan, who acknowledged The McFate Group, mentioning our in-house architect, Jon, and President, Rob, by name, noting that Rob is a Jackson College alum. “This facility is not only an investment in economic development, it is a commitment to the people of our community,” said Phelan. “It’s a commitment to ensure that we continue to serve as a catalyst in this community, that we are the touchstone that employers go to and that students go to.”
“92% of our students who graduate from Jackson College stay in this community, and that’s important for workforce development,” he continued. “It’s also important for economic development.”
State Representative Kathy Schmaltz was in attendance along with the Jackson College Board of Trustees, including Chairwoman Sheila Patterson, who spoke about the new building.
“[The Center] will help create a pipeline of skilled professionals for local employers,” said Patterson. “It will further the college’s commitment as a leader in technical education, [and] it exemplifies partnerships between education and the industry.”
Following Patterson were some words from Jamie Vandenburgh, the Dean of Workforce, Technical, and Professional Education at Jackson College. Vandenburgh began with a story about a 5th grader named Anthony who wrote a letter to Jackson College, stating that he wants to be a line worker and thinks Jackson College would be a good fit because his father attended the school.
“As a space designed to train and inspire the next generation of line and utility workers, energy systems professionals, and sustainability leaders, this project isn’t just about a new building,” said Vandenburgh. “It’s about providing the education, skills, and opportunities that will shape the future workforce and support the industries that power our communities
Eddie Burkhead, the Department Chair for Professional Trades at Jackson College, was the final speaker. “[The Center] is creating more opportunity, and it’s helping our community, and it’s helping our students,” said Burkhead. “That’s really what we’re all about.”
President Phelan wrapped things up and the groundbreaking concluded with a ceremonial turning of dirt. “As we turn the first shovels of dirt today, we are breaking ground on more than just a building, we are breaking ground on opportunities,” said Vandenburgh. “Opportunities for students like Anthony, who dream of careers in essential industries; opportunities for local employers to find the skilled talent they need to thrive; opportunities for Jackson College to continue serving as a hub for innovation, training, and workforce development.”
