Kalamazoo Valley Receives $19.5 Million to Renovate Skilled Trades Facilities

From left to right: Senator Sean McCann,
Senator Sarah E. Anthony, Appropriations Chair,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.-Kalamazoo Valley
Community College President, and
Julie Rogers.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College has received a state appropriation of $19.5 million to renovate its Skilled Trades Wing at its Texas Township Campus.

These funds, along with an additional $19.5 million match that the college plans to raise from multiple sources, will enable Kalamazoo Valley to meet changing technology needs and the ever-growing demand for trained workers in the skilled trades.

In addition to renovating its 68,000 square foot wing, the college aims to add a 20,000 square foot expansion to accommodate a new automotive program. This expansion will provide new opportunities for program offerings such as hybrid and electric vehicle technology training, renewable energy storage systems and autonomous vehicle diagnostics and repair. The continued growth in electric vehicles will lead to a greater need for workers skilled in computer programing, engineering, installation and repair. The new space will better equip Kalamazoo Valley to offer customized training for automotive employers who are looking to provide industry recognized credentials for their staff.

In the renovated wing, the college will increase its footprint for Electrical Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Welding, further increasing the college's ability to meet the increasing need in these fields. This project will also create dedicated space to an energy systems program that is scheduled to start in the Winter 2024 semester as well as additional academic offerings in additive manufacturing.

The renovation will also help Kalamazoo Valley embrace its Board of Trustees sustainability goal. For all initiatives, the college will seek the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification as a target standard. The new classrooms will demonstrate Kalamazoo Valley's commitment of environmental and energy stewardship.

President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D. noted that this appropriation has come at an opportune time: "With this expansion, Kalamazoo Valley will be even better equipped to provide the training needed to help our communities thrive. The college currently has over 117 companies sponsoring over 500 apprentices in 60 different customized technical programs including electrical, HVAC, and engineering design and manufacturing technologies. We need these renovated and new spaces to meet the needs of our local businesses."