Officials Applaud Grant for Asnuntuck

October 10, 2014
Asnuntuck Community College held a groundbreaking ceremony last fall to establish a welding and fabrication facility at the Elm Street campus in Enfield. ACC’s President James Lombella and ACC’s Manufacturing Technology Center Director Frank Galluni were joined by students, staff and faculty as well as State Senators John Kissel and Gary LeBeau for the ceremony. Area officials are applauding the Sep. 29 award of a $1.34 million grant to help ACC enhance its manufacturing training program.

Asnuntuck Community College held a groundbreaking ceremony last fall to establish a welding and fabrication facility at the Elm Street campus in Enfield. ACC’s President James Lombella and ACC’s Manufacturing Technology Center Director Frank Galluni were joined by students, staff and faculty as well as State Senators John Kissel and Gary LeBeau for the ceremony. Area officials are applauding the Sep. 29 award of a $1.34 million grant to help ACC enhance its manufacturing training program.

Area officials are applauding the Sep. 29 award of a $1.34 million grant to help Asnuntuck Community College enhance its manufacturing training program.

“The grant funding will provide the opportunity for students in the advanced manufacturing program at Asnuntuck Community College to participate in higher level technologies including metrology, CNC machining, and layout and inspection,” said Asnuntuck Community College President James Lombella. “Students learning these additional skill sets will prove invaluable to them as graduates as well as our private sector partners across the region. Our mission is to provide students with the abilities to transition successfully into the manufacturing communities and for the long-term sustainability and growth of the manufacturing workforce.”

“We are so proud of how far ACC has come in the past decade,” Sen. John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) said . “ACC’s programs have become a model for the state and nation. This award will bring about continued success.”

“I am pleased to see this grant coming to ACC,” said Rep. David Kiner (D-East Windsor/Enfield). “These funds will go a long way towards advancing the skills of our existing and future manufacturing workers, while supporting their efforts as they get ready to make an impact in this evolving and competitive field.”

“This is welcomed funding for Asnuntuck Community College for its manufacturing training programs,” Rep. David Alexander (D-Enfield) said. “ACC has a proven track record and its faculty and students continue to set a high standard that deserves to be recognized.”

The officials noted that:

  • ACC has the highest graduation rate of the state’s community colleges.
  • 95% of ACC’s Manufacturing Technology Center graduates are placed in jobs within six months of program completion, with starting salaries that average $55,000 per year.
  • ACC has dramatically increased on-campus enrollment.

The funding award is from the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training competitive grant program.