CT State Community College Opens New Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) celebrated the grand opening of its new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center at CT State Tunxis today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Governor Ned Lamont, college officials and area manufacturers.

Located at 21 Spring Lane in Farmington adjacent to the Tunxis campus, the newly renovated facility is the second largest of CT State’s advanced manufacturing centers. The building adds over 14,000 square feet of dedicated space for advanced manufacturing machine technology programs and customized training.

Supported by $7.5 million in state funding for acquisition, renovations and outfitting, the center features a cutting-edge machine technology lab with more than 30 pieces of machinery and equipment, two classrooms, administrative offices, and a conference room.

“Connecticut has the most talented and well-trained workforce of any state in the nation that stands ready to meet the needs of 21st century employers, particularly those in the advanced manufacturing sector,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “By expanding our workforce training opportunities with the creation of this new Advanced Manufacturing Center at CT State Tunxis in Farmington, we are sending a signal to the world’s cutting-edge companies that this is the place they need to be if they want a workforce that will help them succeed and grow. Connecticut’s strong network of higher education institutions are providing the residents of our state with a great, cost-effective way to obtain the skills that can lead to a rewarding career.” 

“This marks an exciting step forward for our college and the central Connecticut region,” said CT State President John Maduko, M.D. “With the opening of our 11th manufacturing location, we are better equipped to tackle workforce challenges and support economic development. The strong support from local manufacturers, legislators, and the community highlights the importance of this investment in preparing our students for successful careers while strengthening Connecticut’s manufacturing sector.” 

“Our colleges and universities train Connecticut’s workforce,” said Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Chancellor Terrence Cheng. “This new state-of-the-art facility will have a significant return on investment by attracting a new pool of talent to learn here and teach here. Through this new center, we will expose our students to the forward-thinking educational models, curriculum and training needed to thrive in a cutting-edge workforce.”

“With top-tier facilities like this new state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, CT State Community College is well positioned to contribute to our workforce pipeline,” said Connecticut Board of Regents Chair Marty Guay. “This new center is a game changer for our manufacturing sector, and will help Connecticut maintain its standing as a manufacturing powerhouse by equipping the next generation of talent with the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers.”

“Today’s event is a reminder of our commitment to serving the community by creating a modern space for education and workforce training in a critical sector,” said CT State Tunxis Campus CEO Darryl Reome, Ed.D. “This expansion will enable more students from the Farmington Valley and beyond to receive specialized training, opening pathways to certificates and degree programs at Tunxis and Central Connecticut State University. I am excited to see our manufacturing programs grow and our credentialed graduates make meaningful contributions to our communities, state, and region.”

The architect for the renovation project was Northeast Collaborative, LLC. Contractors were Nosal Builders and Pelletier Construction Management.  

Some of the training equipment came from other CT State campuses, and seven new pieces of machinery were donated by Richard and Marion Leonhard of California-based TRAK Machine Tools - Southwestern Industries.

The event and special gifts for the center and its students were made possible through the support of Precision Metalforming Association of Southern New England and the Tunxis Foundation as reception sponsors, Aerospace Components Manufacturers and New England Spring & Metal Stamping Association as student scholarship and textbook sponsors.

CT State Career Pathways and Job Success

As Connecticut’s leading institution for manufacturing education and the largest producer of manufacturing graduates in the state, CT State trains more than 2,400 students annually across 12 locations and eight Advanced Manufacturing Centers.

Students can choose from 50 credit and noncredit programs in machining, mechatronics and robotics, precision manufacturing, welding and fabrication, plastics, and manufacturing engineering technology. Some certificates can be completed in as little as six weeks, with more than 90 percent of students securing jobs upon graduating.   

Many of these programs offer stackable credentials and allow students to transfer as juniors to Central Connecticut State University through the Connecticut College of Technology (COT) initiative, which provides seamless pathways in engineering and technology fields in Connecticut.

The advanced manufacturing technology associate degree and certificate programs at CT State Tunxis are offered on a part-time or full-time basis. These credit programs have internships or apprenticeships available, as well as financial aid, free tuition and veterans benefits for those who qualify. Visit https://ctstate.edu/manufacturing for more information.

About CT State Community College and CT State Tunxis

CT State was launched in July 2023 as the result of a consolidation of the state’s 12 community colleges. CT State serves the residents of 169 towns, as well as neighboring states, with campuses and satellites in Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Danielson, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Norwalk, Norwich, New Haven, North Haven, Waterbury, Willimantic, and Winsted, with a central office located in New Britain.

CT State Community College is the largest community college in the Northeast and sixth largest in the nation, serving close to 70,000 credit and noncredit students annually. As Connecticut’s largest and most affordable college, CT State is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Visit ctstate.edu for more information. 

CT State Tunxis serves more than 7,000 credit and noncredit students each year. Through the decades, the campus has continued to expand to accommodate its student population and community needs, with current campus square footage of approximately 336,000 including the new building and additional space adjacent to campus and in leased space in Bristol.