November 2023 Volume 5

FOUNDATION NEWS

Blackhawk Technical College Breaks Ground On I-MEC Center

Pictured: Jim Warren, President & CEO, Forging Industry Association, Tracy Pierner Ph.D., President, Blackhawk Technical College, and John Cain, CEO, Scot Forge

On October 18, 2023, Blackhawk Technical College brock ground for the construction of the Innovation Manufacturing Education Center, known as "I-MEC." This 52,000-square-foot facility, slated for completion by the upcoming summer or fall, represents an exciting addition to the current district office. The project is estimated to cost between $7 to $8 million, with funding sourced from the sale of the college's Milton facility and a generous $250,000 donation. FIA President and CEO, Jim Warren, attended the groundbreaking ceremony to show support for the institution. The Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF) has funded a $57,000 grant for Blackhawk Technical College. This funding is meant to help increase the number of qualified manufacturing technicians through the implementation of a Manufacturing

Automation Cell project, a partnership with the Scot Forge company in Clinton. There has also been additional funding for programs within I-MEC coming from the National Science Foundation, totals $345,000. Which will help instructors launch the Advanced Technological Education in Manufacturing project, with a goal to improve work based learning opportunities and introduce innovative training methods to the workforce. For additional details on the I-MEC groundbreaking ceremony, visit https://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/local-news/blackhawk technical-college-breaks-ground-on-i-mec-center/article_0ad4dd4c 6e16-11ee-a7ae-13c979f748a6.html For more information on Blackhawk Technical College visit https:// www.blackhawk.edu/.

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2023 69