JCTC Proposal to Build Louisville’s First Advanced Manufacturing Educational Center Recommended by State Committee for Approval

Published on Feb 3, 2017

The Work Ready Skills Advisory Committee has approved Jefferson Community and Technical College’s (JCTC) proposal to build an Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology (AMIT) center. The group announced it will set aside $15.2 million dollars in bonds to go towards the construction of the new 50,000 square foot facility and renovation of current facilities.

JCTC estimates that more than 3,000 students and adults would learn and be trained annually as a result of this project, significantly increasing the reach of the college’s workforce training. The new facility will house multiple flexible labs, classrooms, and support areas. Manufacturing-related programs will move to the Center, allowing for the renovation and expansion of the in-demand automotive technology program at the College’s Technical Campus. The combined impact of these efforts will allow the College to increase the number of JCTC-trained students in these sectors by more than 55% by 2022. The Center could open as early as Spring 2019.

“We envision the AMIT building as a beacon to our community that serves to attract the future Kentucky workforce to gain the technical skills which have the greatest promise for economic growth and prosperity in our region and state,” said Dr. Ty Handy, JCTC President. “We thank the Committee for sharing our vision and we applaud Governor Bevin’s commitment to growing the availability of technical education to Kentuckians.”

JCTC’s proposal was one of more than a hundred submitted to the Committee which was created as part of the governor’s Work Ready Skills Initiative. The $100 million bond initiative is aimed at building a highly trained, modernized workforce to promote sustainable incomes for Kentuckians. The total cost of the AMIT project is approximately $24 million. Jefferson has contributed approximately $4 million in property acquisition and equipment. The College has held preliminary conversations with private entities and foundations to help cover the remaining costs.

The Louisville area is the only region in Kentucky without an advanced manufacturing center. The community is home to the largest industrial base of employers consisting of more than 560 industrial firms. The area has the most significant growth and demand for a workforce qualified to work for those employers but lacks adequate facilities to provide this training. In order to continue to fuel the greater Kentucky economy, the creation of a new and exciting educational environment is essential.