Rauner visiting Harper College career and tech center Friday after $38 million renovation

Gov. Bruce Rauner will speak at the opening of Harper College's Career and Technical Education Center Friday morning.

A $38 million renovation converted Building H on the Palatine campus into classrooms and labs for some of Harper's fastest-growing training programs in fields like manufacturing, welding and architectural technology. Most of the two-year project — $20 million — was funded by a state grant.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in a welding lab at the center. Harper President Ken Ender and board President Diane Hill will join Rauner and state lawmakers at the event.

The center also will temporarily hold Harper's advanced manufacturing program, which connects students with 72 manufacturing companies that offer paid internships.