Calling it a “gift to the business community,” Florida Community College at Jacksonville formally opened its $25 million Advanced Technology Center this week at a VIP gathering that attracted top community leaders.
The high tech facility, located on State Street between the college’s downtown campus and its administration building, has 75,000 square feet of space and will be used for workforce development as well as industry support.
“This is a holiday gift to the business community,” said Downtown Campus President Dr. Edythe Abdullah. “This will help make our city’s workforce and economy a success.”
FCCJ President Steve Wallace added, “What was a $7 million dream has turned into a $25 million facility. It was made possible by the support of many people who saw the need for this to help our community’s businesses.
“We now can support virtually any kind of training, and we are very flexible. A company can come here with its own curriculum and its own trainers, and we have the facility they need.”
The VIP turnout included executives from the Chamber, and various parts of the business community.
FCCJ Board chair Tom Fryer said, “The business of business is business. And FCCJ is here to help businesses. You will find us a resourceful and engaging partner.”
Wallace said the building is designed to support the programs of four industry groups:
• Information technology.
• Advanced manufacturing.
• Biotechnology.
• Transportation technology.
“The building is designed to provide the optimal environment to link the college and the business community,” he said. “It will be the very best place on the First Coast for training and development.”
The building was funded by public and private money and Wallace added, “It is a place of significant ownership by the entire community.”
Among those attended the VIP reception were JEA President Walt Bussells,Chamber President Walter Lee, investor Jim Winston, Ch. 7 President Michael Boylan and BellSouth’s Jim McCollum, the incoming Chamber chair-elect.