Advanced Energy to help fund Front Range Community College manufacturing center

LONGMONT — Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS), a Fort Collins-based provider of power and control technologies, is partnering with Front Range Community College to help fund the college’s new Center for Integrated Manufacturing in Longmont.

The $8 million project involves the complete renovation of a 27,000-square-foot industrial space at 1351 S. Sunset St. The center, which is scheduled to open in August 2019, will include lab and classroom facilities to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities.

Advanced Energy has pledged $200,000 in cash and equipment, which makes the company CIM’s largest funding partner.

“We are proud to support Front Range Community College in its efforts in developing much needed technical talent through exceptional curriculum, as well as in improving the economic outlook of Colorado,” Advanced Energy vice president of global services John Williams said in a prepared statement.

AE will also provide FRCC students with internships, scholarships and job opportunities.

“There is a shortage of advanced manufacturing professionals in Colorado’s workforce,” FRCC president Andy Dorsey said in a prepared statement. “In partnerships with companies like Advanced Energy, we can educate skilled workers to help the state economy thrive.”

The college has allocated $6.2 million for the manufacturing center.

In November, the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved a North Metro Enterprise Zone Contribution Project designation for the center.

FRCC applied for the designation to support its “Manufacturing our Future” campaign. The campaign aims to raise another $2 million to purchase and install the training equipment for programs to educate and train skilled workers in industrial maintenance, automation, optics and engineering technology.

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