Attendees of East Mississippi Community College’s 29th annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon Wednesday got to hear an update on the Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence (CMTE) 2.0 or Communiversity from one of its biggest proponents.
Malcolm Portera, President Emeritus of Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama, and one of the people behind the Communiversity, shared his vision for what the approximately $42 million facility will be upon completion in early 2019. Approximately 300 industry, government, educational and other leaders were in attendance at the luncheon.
“Some of you know it as the Communiversity,” Portera said. “My intention is that it would be the next generation of the Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence on steroids.”
Portera listed the initial objectives he and others had brought before the Mississippi Legislature. Initially, those involved asked for $18 million, with the intention to match the funds.
“I’m proud to tell you today, that the $18 million that we asked for grew into $42.5 million, with almost $3 million general revenue sources other than the state of Mississippi,” Portera said. “The first priority for us to create the state’s most significant resource for training. Training team members for existing business and industry.”
Portera said the facility could be used to train those already employed, and will also house several manufacturing training programs. He also said the facility and surrounding region would function as a training and development magnet for industry to the Golden Triangle. It will also work with the Golden Triangle Development LINK and other entities to ensure area students are ready to work in advanced manufacturing fields. Finally, the center will serve as a “soft landing” space for new companies coming into the region.
“That facility that you guys pass by every day is all about doing all that we can possibly do as an educational institution for private enterprise,” Portera said. “(Winston) Churchill once said that some people see private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be shot, some see it as a cow to be milked, not enough people see it as a healthy horse pulling a sturdy wagon.”
Portera also discussed some more strategies for bringing industry to the area, including providing customized training for companies. He also emphasized the importance of qualified workforce to manufacturing growth.
Programs will be offered in precision machining and manufacturing, drafting and design, electrical technology, automation and controls technology, industrial maintenance, electromechanical technology and mechatronics.