Photo provided by Heartland Community College
NORMAL, Ill. – Heartland Community College opened two new campus facilities earlier this year. This month, the school welcomed Congressman Eric Sorenson on a tour of the 45,000 square foot Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center and 29,500 square foot Agriculture Complex.
Heartland Public Information and Communication Director Steve Fast expanded more on the importance of the additional learning areas.
“Having this space allows us to expand our Career Technical Education Programs by getting students into custom-built facilities that are better suited to house some of these hands-on instructional needs,” Fast said.
The Advanced Manufacturing Center houses a 7,000 square foot electric vehicle technology lab. It also supports those in Renewable Energy, Robotics, HVAC and more. Additionally, the Agriculture Complex is connected to three greenhouses and surrounded by test plots, aiding students in programs such as Plant Science and Agronomy.
“We hope to meet the needs of our community in giving students an opportunity to either advance in a two-year degree fairly quickly in these fields, or to get some short-term certifications, and in turn help the community itself,” Fast said.
He went on to express his appreciation for Congressman Sorenson’s visit.
“When they [elected officials] see these things themselves, they can put it in their head that ‘this is what we’re supporting; this is a big part of our community,’” said Fast. “This is how they, as legislatures, can help fuel what we ultimately see as the health and welfare of our community here in Central Illinois.”
Looking forward, Heartland can anticipate more visits from elected officials as they expand and renovate their science labs and remodel the upcoming Student Services Center.