Manufacturing and Technology Center

The ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) aims to meet the rising demand for middle-skill education and support manufacturing growth in the Chicagoland area. It will offer hands-on learning in specialized facilities to prepare students for high-demand roles in manufacturing. Programs will include HVAC-R, energy management, industrial maintenance, mechatronics, CNC machining, pipe welding, quality technician training, and future offerings in robotics, renewable energy, and industrial process control.

The MTC will be built near the main entrance of ECC, on the site previously occupied by Colonial Café and The Hangout, located at 1600 Spartan Drive in Elgin.

The new Manufacturing and Technology Center will be 150,000 square feet, nearly double the current space at ECC. It will include 59,000 square feet dedicated to labs and classrooms, featuring 13 classrooms, nine large instructional labs, and 11 medium-sized labs—significantly expanding from the current 17,000 square feet of lab space in Building O.

The MTC project, estimated at approximately $88 million, is funded through three sources:

• State funding: $28.5 million
• Local funds: $27 million earmarked by the Board of Trustees from the capital projects restricted fund
• Alternate Revenue Source Bonds
• What kind of funding has been secured for the project?
• The project has secured a $28.5 million investment from the state to address the middle-skills labor gap and support training for manufacturing employees in the Greater Chicagoland area. Additionally, the energy management program will receive a $39,150 grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) for solar racking and array construction. The MTC will also provide more opportunities for Department of Labor (DOL)- sponsored apprenticeships, connecting employers with a larger pool of skilled workers. 

The MTC will offer programs in:

• Maintenance Technology
• Industrial Manufacturing Technology
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC-R) / Energy Management
• Welding
• Future programs will include robotics, renewable energy, pipe welding, industrial process control, and increased DOL-sponsored apprenticeship opportunities. 

The center will prepare students for various high-demand careers, including:

• Welders and Fabricators
• Machinists, CNC Operators, and Programmers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Clean Energy Workers 

The new facility is crucial to meet the growing demand for manufacturing program enrollment, which has resulted in waiting lists. Local employers have supported this initiative with donations, stressing the need for more training space. The facility aims to close the middle-skills workforce gap and align with regional employers' educational needs. These roles are essential for the economy, filling critical positions across industries such as manufacturing and aviation. Offering more training in well-paying jobs that are greatly needed in the region can help people grow economically and support the success of their communities.

The new Manufacturing Training Center (MTC) will boast cutting-edge features, including enhanced ventilation systems, integrated robotics, and contemporary learning spaces. Designed to offer an immersive, hands-on educational experience that aligns with the evolving demands of the manufacturing industry, the facility will expand its instructional lab space from 17,000 square feet to an impressive 59,000 square feet. 

By investing in advanced training facilities, ECC aims to equip residents with the skills necessary for high-demand manufacturing jobs. This investment will enhance employment rates, strengthen the local economy, and help bridge the middle-skills labor gap, providing practical training and career opportunities. The potential for substantial earnings in technical fields underscores the benefits of this initiative. 

The first construction phase will begin in Fall 2024 with excavation and site grading. Throughout 2025 and into 2026, the major aspects of construction will be conducted, including site development, building construction, and parking lot construction.  

ECC offers additional training opportunities beyond a high school diploma, focusing on middle-skill education through associate degrees, certificates, on-the-job training partnerships, and apprenticeships. This approach emphasizes hands-on learning and helps students launch their careers confidently.

ECC collaborates with local manufacturing companies, the Elgin Development Group, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, and local WIOA Boards to address industry needs. These partnerships aim to create equitable programs for underserved communities, including justice-impacted individuals, women, BIPOC, and other underrepresented groups in the manufacturing sector. 

Elgin Community College is recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation and is committed to academic excellence. The College is enhancing its manufacturing technology and STEM curriculum while improving state-of-the-art classrooms and career and technical programs, such as the ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center. 

Building O, which currently houses the SBCT spaces, will be renovated. The new Manufacturing and Technology Center will provide updated and expanded facilities for welding and other manufacturing programs. 

Corporate sponsors should contact the ECC Foundation for donation information and potential naming rights.