ECC Receives $2 Million in Federal Funding for Manufacturing and Technology Center

Elgin Community College (ECC) has been awarded $2,000,000 in federal funding secured by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to support advanced manufacturing training at the college’s new Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC). 

The funding, approved through the annual federal appropriations process, will be used to purchase advanced manufacturing training equipment for the MTC, expanding hands-on education opportunities and strengthening access to high-wage, in-demand career pathways across the region. 

The MTC, which broke ground in fall 2025, represents one of the most significant capital investments in ECC’s history. The state-of-the-art facility will house programs in advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, HVAC, welding, and other Industry 4.0-aligned disciplines designed to meet the evolving workforce needs of local employers. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Krishnamoorthi for his continued advocacy on behalf of our students and community,” said ECC President Peggy Heinrich, EdD. “This $2 million investment ensures that our students will train on the same advanced equipment used in today’s manufacturing environments. It directly supports workforce readiness and creates clear pathways to family-sustaining careers.” 

This award builds on Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s longstanding support of ECC. In March 2023, he presented the college with $936,000 in federal funding to enhance its mechatronics and automation programs—programs that will now be housed within the new MTC. That earlier investment strengthened ECC’s ability to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automated systems. 

With the additional $2 million allocation, ECC will further expand its capacity to deliver hands-on, employer-informed training aligned with regional workforce demands. Equipment funded through this appropriation will support instruction across multiple programs and ensure students gain experience using industry-standard technology. 

“The Manufacturing and Technology Center is about more than a building,” Heinrich added. “It is about expanding opportunity—connecting students to high-growth industries and helping local businesses thrive through a skilled workforce.” 

The MTC will serve students pursuing associate degrees, certificates, and short-term credentials, as well as incumbent workers seeking upskilling opportunities. The facility is expected to significantly increase enrollment capacity in manufacturing and technology programs while strengthening partnerships with regional employers. 

Construction on the Manufacturing and Technology Center is ongoing, with the facility projected to open in fall 2026. 

For more information about ECC’s Manufacturing and Technology Center and advanced manufacturing programs, visit elgin.edu/mtc.