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After more than two decades of planning, Lincoln Trail College is set to break ground later this year on a state-of-the-art Technology Center that will house high-demand programs in Welding, Process Technology, and Broadband Telecommunications. The new facility will enhance technical education across the region, offering hands-on training aligned with local industry needs and statewide workforce priorities.
鈥淭his project has been more than 20 years in the making,鈥 said Tona Ambrose, President of Lincoln Trail College. 鈥淚t was first submitted to the State of Illinois under former LTC President Bev Turkel, and I鈥檓 honored to be part of the team that is finally bringing it to life. It鈥檚 not just a building鈥攊t鈥檚 a long-overdue investment in the people and economy of Crawford County.鈥
The Technology Center is the second Capital Development Board (CDB) project for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. The first, currently under construction, is the Applied Technology Center at Olney Central College, which will house IECC鈥檚 high-demand Nursing and Radiography programs. Together, those programs serve more than 200 students districtwide and have seen surging student demand and enrollment over the past two years. The LTC Technology Center is funded through a 75/25 split, with 75% of funding from the State of Illinois and 25% from IECC.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in welding are expected to grow by over 42,000 positions by 2032, with median annual wages above $48,000. Process Technology, critical in manufacturing, energy, and chemical sectors, shows regional demand for two-year degree holders earning $55,000鈥$70,000 annually. Telecommunications technician jobs is expected to grow more than 6% over the next decade, fueled by fiber optic and broadband infrastructure expansion, with average wages over $60,000.
鈥淭his facility is going to open doors鈥攆or students, for employers, and for the region,鈥 said Dr. Ryan Gower, Chancellor of IECC. 鈥淚t will give people the tools to build better careers and better lives鈥攚ithout ever leaving southeastern Illinois.鈥
In addition to serving traditional college students, LTC hopes to partner with area high schools to allow shared use of the new facility for vocational training. High school students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and even earn college credentials before graduation. The college also plans to work closely with IECC鈥檚 Business and Industry division to offer short-term training, custom employer partnerships, and incumbent worker upskilling.
鈥淭his is how we build a workforce pipeline that actually works,鈥 said Ambrose. 鈥淔rom high school students to mid-career adults, this space will support everyone ready to level up their skills and contribute to a stronger local economy.鈥
The Technology Center鈥檚 path to construction hasn鈥檛 been easy. The project sat unfunded until 2020 after IECC sought and received successful state-level advocacy from former Senator Dale Righter, former Representative Reggie Phillips, and former Representative Chris Miller.
But in early 2024, the first round of construction bids came in several million dollars over budget, prompting the IECC Board of Trustees to reject the bid outright. That decision could have sidelined the project indefinitely. Instead, IECC CFO Ryan Hawkins and Project Manager Nick Knapp worked closely with the Capital Development Board and program faculty to redesign the facility鈥攑reserving its essential instructional features while trimming enough to bring it just barely over the original cost.
鈥淲ithout the collaboration of President Ambrose, our faculty, and the leadership of Ryan Hawkins and Nick Knapp, this project could have easily stalled out,鈥 said Gower. 鈥淏ut they did what LTC has always done鈥攕mile, roll up their sleeves, and find another way.鈥
Ambrose agreed: 鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 easy. But the support of our Board, the dedication of our employees, and the tenacity of our partners made the difference. Now, we鈥檙e moving forward with a facility that will transform how we deliver technical education at LTC.鈥 The Lincoln Trail College Technology Center is expected to break ground later in 2025.