Heartland awarded $525K grant for electric vehicle programs

Posted on January 24, 2024
The Advanced Manufacturing Center and State Farm EV Lab at Heartland Community College. (Photo courtesy Heartland Community College)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – Heartland Community College has been awarded $525,000 to help the development of Electric Vehicle-related programs.

According to a news release, the funding is part of a $9.4 Million awarded to 25 Illinois community colleges by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), through the Rev Up EV! Community College Initiative.

The initiative is designed to support the state’s growing Electric Vehicle industry through job training and technology development programs.

Funding from this grant will go toward expanding Heartland’s EV Technology offerings to include medium-duty and heavy-duty EV Technology and EV Infrastructure courses and certificates.

Heartland’s Electric Vehicle program, launched in August of 2021, currently offers an associate in applied science degree in Electric Vehicle Technology as well as stackable certificates that include EV Technology, EV Maintenance and Light Repair, EV Energy Storage, EV Service Advisor.

“The advanced manufacturing workforce has evolved into a place of technology and specialized skill,” said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “With the rise of the EV technology, as well as robotics, automation, and more, it is imperative to expand educational pathways to give students the knowledge and training to fit the needs of these industries.”

This February, Heartland celebrates the opening of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Main Campus in Normal. The 45,000 square foot facility includes the State Farm EV Lab. Construction of the facility was partially funded by a $7.5M Rebuild Illinois grant as well as $1M from the State Farm Companies Foundation.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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