History of Jefferson Rising | JCTC

Rising to New Heights

History of Jefferson Rising

Advanced Manufacturing & Information Technology (AMIT) Center

  • The AMIT Center Initiative expands Jefferson’s capacity to teach Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Technology, Computerized and Information Technology, as well as other high-wage/high-demand jobs that connect to regional middle-skills jobs and income ($40,000-$70,000). The AMIT Center increases the Colleges annual capacity in AMIT programs by 55%, within five years it will award more than 10,000 AMIT credentials.
  • AMIT Building opens Fall 2020 – Secured required match for $16.6 million from the State with a varied capital stack involving Metro Louisville, local foundations, corporate philanthropy and College investment for total of $27 million. Projected $551 million in incremental wages for grads.
  • Automotive Technology Expansion – Project includes a $3 million renovation of the Technical Campus to expand Auto Tech programs with the move of Adv. Manufacturing programs to AMIT. Partnerships with Toyota and the Chrysler Career Automotive Program, as well as the recent Mercedes Service Program, are driving the increased demand for Auto Tech skills.
  • Expanded student pipeline – AMIT Center is already attracting increasing numbers of students from the College’s workforce and academic partnerships, including a projected 200+/year developing from collaborations with the relevant JCPS Academies. 57 manufacturers and IT companies are providing learn/work support and career pathways.

Campus Transformation

  • The College and the Foundation have created master plans for all of Jefferson’s campuses, addressing critical needs for: 1) additional instructional space; 2) positive and engaging student “front door” experience; and 3) improved student safety throughout the campuses and additional, strategically-located parking.
  • The Foundation is targeting resources for activation of the Downtown Campus master plan, through: 1) active cultivation and encouragement of PPP investment in the surrounding blocks through neighborhood relationship building and attraction of outside investors; 2) seed investment of $400,000 in outdoor placemaking along the 1st St corridor, targeting the AMIT Center opening for completion, for potential neighborhood-wide expansion; and 3) continued fundraising for student spaces.
  • With $800,000 in gift and College investment to date, plans are under development for continued transformation of all of the campuses as state-of-the-art, green, and accessible environments for students, the community, and as a driver of economic development for the Region overall.