Electrification and Transportation Center
Electrification and Transportation Center
West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) is requesting funds toward the completion of PHASE II of the Electrification & Transportation Center renovation and program expansion at the LaGrange Campus.
Partnership Opportunities
LaGrange East Campus - LaGrange, GA
Interested in learning more?
Dr. Julie Post
WGTC President
678.664.0530 Julie.Post@westgatech.edu
Brittney Wells
WGTC Foundation Executive Director
706.594.2696 Brittney.Wells@westgatech.edu
Located in the Georgia International Business Park, the largest in the Southeast, WGTC's LaGrange East Campus houses several buildings, including two 50+-year-old facilities that no longer meet the high-tech demands of today’s workforce. To address current and future economic development needs, the College's master plan aims to renovate and expand these facilities, optimizing the space for modern programming. Partnerships with local industry leaders and new developments in the area highlight the urgent need for a skilled workforce. In response, WGTC plans to enhance its contributions to electrification and transportation fields and partner with area businesses to foster regional vitality.
Renovation Details
- Building A, East Campus, 220 Fort Drive
- Three wings totaling - 37,325 sq. ft.
- Wing A - 13,805 sq. ft.
- Wing B & C -11,760 sq. ft. each
- Wing D - 5,000 sq ft.
- CDL range
- Field adequate for lineworker
- Sufficient parking, paved and gravel
- New roof installation already in progress
- Building B to be Demolished
Workforce Impact
There are hundreds of advanced manufacturers in the region that are driving the need for WGTC to expand programming. With the recent announcement of 3,000 new industry jobs, there's an increasing demand for skilled workers, particularly in the automotive, e-vehicle, and transportation industries. WGTC will focus programming around electrification and automobile manufacturing trades.
This renovation will directly impact our partners including KIA Georgia, Duracell, Kimberly-Clark, Daesol Ausys, Freyer, Hyundai-Transys, Georgia Power, Diverse Power, Carroll EMC, Coweta-Fayette EMC, Greystone Power, and more.
Career fields directly affected by this project:
- CNC Machine Operator
- Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operator
- Demand Planning Analyst/Logistics Analyst
- Diesel Mechanic
- Electrical Power-line Installer & Repairman
- Auto Dealer Services
- Electrician
- Engineering Technician
- E-vehicle Repair Technician
- Forklift Operator
- Industrial Technician
- Logistician
- Charging Station Repair
- Maintenance Technician
- Procurement/Supply Chain Manager
- Refrigeration Specialist
- Transportation, Storage & Distribution
- Truck Driver
- Warehouse Worker
Phase I
WGTC was named one of two Governor’s Workforce Accelerator for Manufacturing state funding recipients. As a result, $6.5 million in renovation and equipment funding for programming specifically to address training in support of the electric vehicle industry manufacturing and aftermarket maintenance was awarded.
- Funding provides for Phase I of necessary facility transformation.
- WGTC provided $1,000,000 to complete total project design and contribute to Building B demolition.
- There is confidence in several industry partners to financially support Phase II in excess of $1,000,000.
Student Impact
- AY2024 patterns demonstrate exponentially rising enrollment at WGTC, and current fall semester numbers are showing double-digit credit growth.
- High-demand field enrollment in CDL and manufacturing areas have already grown eight to 10 percent.
- Using creativity, grants, and innovative thinking, WGTC has exhausted expansion of these needed areas on other campuses. It is time to serve the industries and our students better in the greater Troup County area.
- Programming will support enrollment of an additional 850 students annually.