Center for Excellence in Auto Technology at BRCC gets $13.9M

Gov. Bobby Jindal this afternoon announced a commitment of $13.9 million in capital outlay funding to build the Center for Excellence in Auto Technology at Baton Rouge Community College. The new center will serve as a training ground for students who want careers in the auto industry, and Jindal says it will help fill a need of the auto industry in Louisiana for more skilled workers. Jindal says his administration will be seeking approval for the center’s funding at the State Bond Commission. “In Louisiana, recent data shows that there are over 2,700 open auto mechanic and technician jobs in Louisiana, and that number is expected to grow by 17% by 2020,” Jindal says. “Without question, this is a growth industry, but we aren’t filling the positions available right now. Today’s announcement is about closing this gap.” The Center for Excellence in Auto Technology will be part of Smiley Heights—a mixed-use development that consist of a residential neighborhood, retail establishments and a charter school. The 60,000-square-foot auto training facility will be located on BRCC’s new East Campus. Construction on the campus and the auto training facility is estimated to begin at the end of 2014 and be completed by late 2015. The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority is working with Baton Rouge-based All Star Automotive Group to develop potential partnerships with automobile technicians and manufacturers at the center. Get more details about today’s announcement at the governor’s website here.