Tanner Clenney is one of a select 16 in Highland Community College's Wind Turbine Technician program. On Thursday, it took a ground breaking step forward.
"It's going to be great to have our own facility. That way when all of us students show up we have a definite place to go and not just random classrooms," Clenney said.
But for Clenney, the million dollar facility is more than just having extra space. It's a draft of comfort as our economy spirals down.
"Being able to have job security through skilled labor is one of the main things I'm concerned about," Clenney said.
When the building rises from the dirt, it will serve two purposes. A shop for students to get hands-on with the wind turbines. And a classroom area.
"We will have designated classrooms, a hydraulics lab, and a full shop to work on turbines, blade repair, inspection," Program Director Scott Anderson said.
A special boost for the building is donated tools from Rockford-based Greenlee Textron. Anderson shares the excitement with students like Clenney especially as the founder of this program.
"It just seemed like it was all on paper. So it was really thrilling to be here today and to know where we're going to be going," Anderson said.
So a clearer direction now as these shovels usher in that perfect wind to literally get this program off the ground.
Anderson says the new facility should be ready for students next fall. The college is paying it from business donations, matching grants and a government payment plan.