Tavares, FL March 16, 2016
Lake Tech in Eustis just received news they will get the rest of funds needed to complete their Center for Advanced Manufacturing. They had previously received $1.5-million, and now will get another $2.8-million to finish construction of the Center.
Correction: Lake Tech will receive even MORE, or $2.8-million vs the $2.4-million we described earlier.
The funding was NOT on a list of vetos by Gov. Scott discussed yesterday at the Lake County Board meeting, and I confirmed it with Lake Tech Director, Dr. Diane Culpepper. The result is Scott is expected to approve the budget which includes a list of education projects like the $20-million received by UCF, and Lake Tech's $2.8-million is one of the approved projects on the list. Last year, the funding was not approved or added to the list.
Lake Tech is a charter school within the Lake County School system, and has more flexibility than regular schools to define classroom needs.
Classes to be expanded or offered at the soon to be constructed Manufacturing Center include:
Welding and Advanced Welding - classes will be expanded from 20 to 40 seats. "We can't keep up with demand for welders" said Culpepper.
Fabrication
CNC Production Specialist
Machining
Blueprint reading
SolidWorks software
3D CAM software
CAD - "Computer Aided Drafting"
3D Printing - a big growth area
The need for the new classes was defined by Lake County businesses and County and School District officials in order to improve attractiveness for relocating manufacturing firms.
Two old buildings have been demolished in order to build the new 24,000 square foot facility.
"This is a game changer" said Dr. Culpepper. Jack Miller is in charge of the construction of the center, along with the Lake Tech facilities Department. They had earlier received $1.5-million so much of the preparation of the site and planning is complete, and an RFQ for a project manager will be issued soon. Including the $1.5-million, the expected $2.8-million, and some other funding sources, Culpepper and Miller are confident they can complete needed construction within budget. Plans for the facility design were also guided by a Manufacturing Task Force of employer representatives.
Culpepper was enthusiastic about the help from Lake County Commissioners, the new County lobbying firm, the Florida Manufacturing Assoc., the Lake County Economic Development team, the School Board, local "Business Partners" , local Florida legislators Rep. Larry Metz, Sen. Alan Hays, Sen. Dorothy Hukill, Rep. Jennifer Sullivan and Rep. Marlene O'Toole in all working to get the remaining funding. Culpepper said 15 local business partners sent Gov. Scott letters of support which helped educate him since his primary objective has always been jobs creation.
"Local manufacturers can expand faster with the new trained work force provided by the Center" said Culpepper. Without advanced training like this, it was harder to retain or attract manufacturing employers to Lake County.
Miller expects construction to be completed in about 10 months since architectural drawings and other plans are ready for a soon to be selected Construction Manager to initiate construction.
Existing and potential manufacturing owners should be happy with this new center, and congratulations to all who worked to get the needed funding.
Source of the graphics of the new center was Dr. Diane Culpepper.
There is no word about the status of the requested $3-million Center for Lake County bloggers. Maybe next year?
Vance Jochim
