Drake State Breaks Ground on Advanced Manufacturing Facility

On June 9 at 10 a.m., Drake State Community & Technical College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Drake State Advanced Manufacturing Center which will train students in aerospace and other advanced manufacturing work at 3421 Meridian Street North.

The 50,000 square foot facility will house new programs including engineering design and mechatronics, the skills needed to operate automated manufacturing machinery. It will include space for machine tool technology, welding and drafting and design in addition to flex labspace, which is to be adaptable to immediate changes based on industry demand.

In this region, 200 jobs for mechatronics engineers and 74 jobs for aerospace connected technicians are available each year, according to Vice Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, Susan Price. “These are the types of jobs that can transform lives and communities,” Price said. “In about 15 months, students here in Huntsville will walk through the doors of a $30 million and approximately 50,000 square foot facility that will set them up for a level of success that can change the trajectory of future generations.”

District 19 Representative Laura Hall thanked the community for the opportunities the new facility could bring disadvantaged students. “Thank you on behalf of the students,” Hall said. “Most importantly for those students that I know whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser, whose monsters are real. If you give them an opportunity to believe then they can, too, reimagine the future.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, addressing the Alabama Community College System said, “The money that you send here will be money that will end up turning into jobs, and turning into industry, and turning into something that makes not only Huntsville and North Alabama a better place but makes the state a better place.”

By: Laura Boehringer

Chamber President Lynn Troy, all of whom spoke to their excitement about the facility’s potential in helping Huntsville students and the wider community and commended the work of Sims. Other elected officials in attendance were Huntsville/Madison