Construction Set to Begin on New Purdue Campus
A groundbreaking ceremony is slated Tuesday for the Purdue Polytechnic Anderson facility. The $15 million project will include classrooms, maker space and room for advanced manufacturing companies.
It’s being built on the property where a GM facility was previously located. "We are extremely excited about what this new space means for our students. It will provide them with the labs needed for our engineering technology and computer technology degrees," Purdue Polytechnic Anderson Director Corey Sharp said. "We pride ourselves on learning by doing, and the new Plant 3 facility will allow us to fulfill our new Polytechnic mission."
The project is a collaboration among Purdue University, the city and the Flagship Enterprise Center. The latter will own and manage the property. Flagship Chief Executive Officer Chuck Staley call it an "all-encompassing educational experience" and says "this partnership represents a major step forward in addressing a critical shortage in the engineering and technical disciplines in the region. We are greatly appreciative to the city of Anderson and the Anderson Innovation Center for their support and encouragement."
Mayor Kevin Smith says the center propels the city into a big spotlight. "The Flagship and Purdue Polytechnic P3 Building and makerspace will move Anderson to the forefront of the national maker movement while providing a world-class educational and industrial facility that Anderson can be proud of."
The facility will support new majors in supply chain management technology and computer and information technology and is expected to be complete by fall of 2016.