00 AUG 1_2_pager FY2026 _ Updated JAN 2025.docx

Fully Developed Campus w/Private Industry Proposed Building

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Augusta Technical College seeks to establish a 48,500 SF Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Regional Training Center (Phase I) in Columbia County to drive economic development activity on I-20 in the second largest MSA in Georgia.

REQUEST

The college requests that design funding of $2.1m for FY26 be considered for the upcoming legislative session.

AUGUSTA TECH’S LOCAL INVESTMENT

· $5 million from Columbia County to purchase 54.2 acres.

PROJECTED ECONOMIC IMPACT

· 700 projected new credit students.

· 150-300 projected new incumbent worker training students.

· 1,200 SF of soft-landing space for new economic development projects.

· Expanded Dual Enrollment Opportunities.

· Expanded Apprenticeship Opportunities.

· Accessible facility for rural communities that support Governor Kemp’s Rural Initiative. (i.e. Warren, Washington, etc.).

· Additional property allows for the development future facilities, including a second instructional building and private advanced manufacturing companies to co-locate on the property to provide internship & employment opportunities.

FY 2026 Capital Project Request

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia Equal Opportunity Institution

JUSTIFICATION

Advanced manufacturing is the number one target industry of all development authorities in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). It employs over 1/3 of the workforce in the area; over 23,000 individuals. Within the past six months the college has successfully helped the region attract several new manufacturing companies: Aurubis, Syensqo, GF Casting Solutions, and Stryten Energy in total represents a minimum of 3,200 new jobs. This facility would support their workforce needs and the needs of future companies. The college’s current facilities are inadequate to support this growing sector in our region. Moreover, our current facilities do not reflect modern advanced manufacturing facilities and renovation, or expansion of existing facilities would not allow the college to create a learning environment that would attract and/or inspire the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals. Vacated spaces would be filled with the expansion of the college’s fast growing design media program, IT program, and lab science offerings.

PARTNERS AND LOCAL INDUSTRY:

The college already has partnerships with equipment and tooling companies such as Kuka, Reinshaw, KBB, Siemens, Haas, Phillips, GF, FANUC, and others who are ready to be a part of this project. This project is fully supported by all regional chambers of commerce, development authorities, and the CSRA Manufacturing Alliance which represents all the manufacturers within the region (30 plus). Geographically this new facility would be close to several major manufacturers in the area: John Deere, Serta, Club Car, Amazon, GIW, FL SMIDTH, who collectively employ 7,200 employees within a two-mile radius of this facility.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS: *New Program Offerings

· Mechatronics/Robotics, Industrial Systems Technology, Chemical Technology, PLC Controllers, CNC/Precision Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing*, IOT Internet of Things*, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical/Computer Engineering Technology, Nuclear Engineering Technology, Architectural/Drafting Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology*, Pneumatic/Hydraulics*, and Welding.

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