Heartland breaks ground on new manufacturing and technology training facility

Posted on September 30, 2022
(L-R) HCC Board of Trustees Mary Campbell, Thomas Whitt, Becky Ropp, Josh Crockett, Jeffrey Flessner, Asst Director of DCEO Khama Sharp, Student Trustee Rodney Billerbeck, Trustee Janet Hood, HCC President Keith Cornille. (Photo Heartland Community College)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – Heartland Community College on Thursday broke ground on its new 45,000 square foot facility to support advanced manufacturing technology training.

Heartland staff were joined by members from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Affairs, local officials, and industry leaders for the ceremony.

The $17 million facility will include new construction of the Electric Vehicle/Energy Storage (EVES) Center, as well as remodeled space to further support programs such as robotics, HVAC, welding, and digital media.

HCC President Keith Cornille said as the makeup of the regional workforce has changed there is an increasing need for specialized skill training in areas such as advanced manufacturing.

“With this facility we will have more resources to meet the advanced manufacturing workforce in programs such as Electric Vehicle technology and High-Voltage Energy Storage Technology,” said Cornille.

Earlier this month Governor JB Pritzker declared Sept. 23-Oct. 3 EV Week: a weeklong celebration designed to raise awareness about Illinois’ robust EV ecosystem – including the benefits of driving an electric vehicle as well as choosing Illinois to locate or grow EV businesses.

The facility, located on Heartland’s main campus in Normal, has an anticipated completion date of fall 2023.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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