Impact of $4 million investment will support students and Central Louisiana economy for years to come
Alexandria, La., Dec. 5, 2017 – Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) has been awarded two grants totaling $4 million to establish the Central Louisiana Manufacturing Technology Center, and to build and expand manufacturing programs regionally.
The Rapides Foundation awarded $2 million to the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS) for use by CLTCC, and the State of Louisiana matched the Foundation’s funding with $2 million.
The grant from the Foundation began November 1, 2017, and it will be disbursed over a three-year period.
"This funding is transformational, as it will enhance the quality of our programs and college. The goal of this investment is to support Cenla’s students, local business and industry, and the community. This well-crafted strategy will positively impact our workforce, economy, and the entire region for years to come,” said CLTCC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle. “We are truly grateful for The Rapides Foundation and partners like CLEDA for their commitment to make Central Louisiana a great place to live, train, and work.”
"In support of The Rapides Foundation’s mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana, our Economic Development Initiative makes the link between healthy economies and healthy people,” said Joseph R. Rosier, Jr., President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation. “Healthy economies with low unemployment rates and higher wage jobs provide people with the means to purchase medical insurance, make better healthcare choices and live healthier lifestyles.
"Through this $2 million economic development grant, The Rapides Foundation Board of Trustees expects to see significant advancements in program offerings focused on advanced manufacturing, and welding and fabrication, as well as CLTCC’s ability to deliver some of that coursework remotely to help students who have a lack of transportation,” Rosier continued. “The development of the Manufacturing Technology Center and improved course offerings across the region will provide new training opportunities and career paths for employment and advancement for all Cenla residents.”
These grants will support new initiatives as well as the advancement of current program offerings in the field of manufacturing. CLTCC plans to rename its current Manufacturing Training Center the Central Louisiana Manufacturing Technology Center, which will eventually be relocated in downtown Alexandria as part of the new Alexandria Main Campus.
Over the next three years, the college will strengthen the manufacturing core curriculum, create pathways to generate a larger pipeline of students, increase work-based learning opportunities, extend specialized processes for programs such as welding, develop an outreach plan to drive enrollment, and deliver graduates for the high-wage, high-demand, high-skill jobs in the manufacturing sector throughout the Central Louisiana region.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) is a two-year technical and community college offering associate degrees, technical diplomas, industry certificates, and customized training in more than 20 disciplines to support local workforce development and prepare students for good-paying jobs. CLTCC serves 11 parishes in Central Louisiana through its nine campuses and provides instruction in three state prisons and two federal correctional institutions. For more information, visit www.cltcc.edu.
The Rapides Foundation is a philanthropic organization that develops initiatives and provides grants to organizations that share the Foundation's mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. The Foundation's service area consists of Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn parishes.
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