BRIDGEPORT — CT State Housatonic, one of the state’s community colleges, will unveil its newly renovated and expanded Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) Oct. 2.
The event, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will celebrate the college’s students, partners, and dedicated staff while showcasing a facility that offers more equipment and expanded capacity for hands-on learning.
The AMTC, in operation since 2012, provides a rigorous two-semester certificate program delivering over 750 hours of training, preparing students for immediate employment in advanced manufacturing. To date, the program has graduated more than 500 students who have gone on to successful careers in the industry.
The expansion was made possible through a federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and bond funding from the State of Connecticut.
In 2021, Housatonic Community College was awarded a $999,900 federal grant through a Fiscal Year 2022 Higher Education Congressionally Funded Community Project submitted on behalf of Housatonic by Congressman Himes. The federal funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education were used to purchase equipment and supplies to support the expansion and amounted to 38% of the total project cost.
The non-federal funds used to finance the project came from $1.6 million in state bond proceeds that supported necessary infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the expansion. No non-governmental funds were used to finance the project.
Together those funds have provided critical resources to modernize the facility and enhance opportunities for students. These investments have transformed the AMTC into a state-of-the-art learning environment, now featuring a computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing shop, a manual machining shop, and an inspection lab — all equipped with modern manufacturing technologies.
“This expansion is a milestone for Housatonic and our students,” said Adam Scobie, director of AMTC. “It provides our students with cutting-edge technology, hands-on experience, and the resources they need to excel in today’s advanced manufacturing sector.”
