Rock Valley College’s Advanced Technology Center opens

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Rock Valley College brings the lightning to 1400 Big Thunder Blvd. with its new Advanced Technology Center (ATC).

The college transformed the former ShopKo building into the ATC, now home to several industrial, manufacturing and technology programs. Students like Erica Turner are thrilled to take advantage of what the facility has to offer. The facility opened in January 2022 for the students, but supply chain issues delayed the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to do for a really long time. And you know, picking up that whip for the first time and laying that first feed and I was like, man, I really found something I know that I can be passionate about,” says Turner.

The state-of-the-art 77,000 square foot facility has five classrooms and nine labs. RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman made the center a top priority of his administration, saying he spent several late nights bringing the vision to fruition.

“It’s important to have this space where we can specialize not only in teaching them mechatronics and welding and CNC courses, but also we can grow our customized training, which helps companies specifically with the needs that they have.”

Turner will be graduating in less than six weeks and wants to work as a welder. The facility will also host English as a second language (ESL) classes.

Copyright 2022 WIFR. All rights reserved.