DECATUR — As the area keeps growing, so do job opportunities.
And a major investment in North Alabama’s future workforce to meet the growth and employment was realized Monday as Calhoun Community College cut the ribbon on its 57,200 square-foot expansion of the Advanced Technology Center.
“This facility is not just an investment in a building, it is an investment in people, families, and the economic growth of our communities,” said Calhoun President Dr. Jimmy Hodges.
The center will provide state-of-the-art training facilities for high-demand industries including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, welding, machine tool technology, engineering design, mechatronics, CDL training, and more.
“This expansion is a monumental step for Calhoun and for our region,” said Hodges. “Our students now have access to some of the most advanced training labs and classrooms in the state, which means they can gain the skills and nationally recognized certifications that lead to high paying, high demand jobs right here in North Alabama.”
The project was made possible through the Alabama Community College System’s ASPIRE 2030 initiative, which provides funding for facility upgrades and new construction for all levels of education in Alabama.
“We have one goal, and that is to be the best community college system in the nation,” said Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. “And we are reaching that goal. People across the country are talking about the jobs available in Alabama, the training that is available, and the quality of the people teaching in our system. That speaks volumes about the caliber of facilities we are providing to the community.
“None of this would be possible without the strong support of our legislative leaders who understand the importance of preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”
State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) also emphasized the statewide impact.
“We have the best community college system in the country. Our enrollment continues to rise while many other institutions are seeing declines, and that is because people see the real value in the training our colleges provide,” he said. “The ATC expansion has been a long time coming, and thanks to the legislature and Governor Ivey, we were able to make it happen.
“This building will help more workers enter the job market with skills faster, which not only boosts our economy but also improves incomes and opportunities for families across Alabama. When workforce training thrives, we all benefit.”
Reflecting on the long-term vision for this project, John Holley, Calhoun’s dean of technologies, said, “It has been over a decade of dreaming of this expansion, and today feels overwhelming in the best way possible. We are so grateful to our K-12 partners, legislators, and industry leaders whose support has guided us every step of the way.
“I also want to recognize our faculty and staff whose dedication to our students’ success is unsurpassable. North Alabama is growing rapidly, and our programs are answering the call by preparing skilled graduates to fill the jobs our industries need.”
In addition to expanded classroom and lab space, the facility will support Calhoun’s four nationally recognized co-op programs that give students the opportunity to earn a paycheck while they learn:
- The Aerospace Collaborative Education (ACE) program
- The Alabama F.A.M.E. (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program
- The Alliance for Machining Professionals (AMP)
- The Excellence in Process Industrial Controls (EPIC) program
These programs ensure that graduates are workforce ready on day one, meeting the growing demand for talent in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, machining, and industrial controls.
“Today’s ribbon cutting is a true celebration of progress for our community,” said Crystal Brown, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. “Calhoun plays an essential role in building both a stronger workforce and a stronger economy. Thanks to the vision of Chancellor Jimmy Baker, Dr. Jimmy Hodges, and the dedicated Calhoun team, students have greater opportunities and employers have access to highly skilled talent.
“Investments like this not only impact today’s students, they create a foundation of success for generations to come.”
The ATC expansion also comes on the heels of a historic milestone for Calhoun’s FAME Rocket City Chapter, which recently became the first in the nation to complete FAME USA’s Quality Assurance Accreditation process.
The chapter was recognized as a Top Performing Chapter, setting the benchmark for quality training practices across the national network of 45 FAME chapters in 17 states and more than 450 employer partners. This accreditation is valid for five years and underscores Calhoun’s leadership in workforce education and innovation.
“Today’s ribbon cutting is more than the opening of a building, it is the opening of new doors for our students, our employers, and our communities,” Hodges said.
The ATC expansion was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood and constructed by Bailey Harris Construction, with Tucker Jones Engineers serving as structural engineer, MW/Davis Dumas & Associates as mechanical engineer, and Jackson, Renfro & Associates as electrical engineer.
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