Elgin Community College breaks ground on new manufacturing, tech center

As a newly minted dean six years ago at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Cathy Taylor was told there was a waitlist of students for the welding class.

She then was told there was no more room to open up new classrooms for them and no more space for new equipment.

There will be room in 2026 when the school opens a new $85 million manufacturing and technology center.

“We must embrace the future of manufacturing and what it means for the future of our industry partners, our students and our community,” Taylor, ECC dean of sustainability, business and career technologies, said during a Wednesday groundbreaking for the center.

The two-story, 150,000-square-foot building will provide more space for welding, HVAC, industrial manufacturing, energy management — and updated programs for industrial processes, mechatronics, pipe welding, renewable energy, robotics and automation.

“These jobs do not require a four-year degree, but more than a high school diploma,” Taylor said. “This building and these programs are ECC’s way of providing education and training opportunities for a skilled, diverse workforce that will be the next generation of manufacturing for the 21st century.”

The project includes $28.5 million in capital funds from the state, for which State Sen. Cristina Castro, State Rep. Anna Moeller, and State Sen. Don DeWitte all supported.

Castro took a tour of the college and saw firsthand how cramped the facility was for manufacturing and technology classes.

“I was told in order to meet the demand, we’re going to need a new building,” Castro said.

Castro urged her fellow lawmakers to talk to industry partners about the need and demand for a skilled and trained workforce.

DeWitte praised the bipartisan effort to get capital funding for ECC.

“Our collaboration is proof that when Republicans and Democrats come together, we can all achieve tremendous results,” DeWitte said.

With the addition of the new manufacturing and technology center, ECC will be positioned as a leader in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals, DeWitte said.

“This new center will offer state-of-the-art training in critical fields, providing ECC graduates and certificate holders with opportunities to enter well-paying, family-supporting careers,” DeWitte said. “Manufacturing and technology are not just pillars of our economy. They are vital to Illinois’ future.”

Interim ECC President Peggy Heinrich said it was a journey to arrive at the groundbreaking.

“Our mission is to improve people’s lives through learning and, in short, that’s what we’re going to do in the new facility,” Heinrich said. “This building is going to help support the district’s economic development, health and growth.”

Lamp Incorporated of Elgin will construct the new facility, as designed by DLA Architects of Itasca, officials said.