Manufacturing center cuts ribbon

Heartland Community College celebrated the opening of a new facility designed for the instruction of state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing programs including Electric Vehicle Technology, High-Voltage Energy Storage, Robotics, Renewable Energy, and Automation.

Funded in part by a $7.5 million State of Illinois grant from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Heartland’s Advanced Manufacturing Center features the State Farm Electric Vehicle Laboratory, the permanent home of the College’s pathbreaking Electric Vehicle/Energy Storage program which launched in 2021.

“Programs like the Manufacturing Training Academy at Heartland represent the best of the innovation and care for students that Illinois community colleges are putting forth every day,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this lab as a resource, Heartland students will graduate prepared for jobs of the future that are hiring right now—a pathway to a career that will last.”

Construction of the 45,000 square foot facility began in the fall of 2022. The $17M facility incorporates remodeled space to further support programs such as robotics, HVAC, welding, and digital media, in addition to the newly constructed State Farm EV Lab.

On Tuesday, February 27, Heartland staff were joined by Governor JB Pritzker, representation from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Affairs (DCEO), local officials, and industry leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony of the Center.

“The State of Illinois is investing in the clean energy jobs of the future through its support of Heartland Community College’s state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing training facility,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Together, we’re opening the doors to opportunities for Illinois’ world-class workforce by providing them with the tools to pursue meaningful careers in the clean energy industry and beyond.”

The Heartland Advanced Manufacturing Center is designed to support the growing need for Career Technical Education programs that balance out the robust curriculum for transfer-oriented students at the college.