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Illinois Central College Awarded $3 Million to Advance Manufacturing Training

State grant will transform approximately 26,000 square feet of existing East Peoria lab and classroom space to serve more students, create more flexible learning environments and provide more hands-on training for high-demand careers, thus enabling job growth

by Angie Hummels

EAST PEORIA, IL (09/15/2026) — Illinois Central College has been awarded a $3 million state capital grant to renovate and upgrade approximately 26,000 square feet of manufacturing training space in its Agricultural and Industrial Technologies Building. The College's Industrial Electrical, Industrial Maintenance and Manufacturing Engineering Technology programs are housed there.

The funding, announced by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is part of more than $20 million awarded to support five Manufacturing Training Academies at downstate Illinois community colleges.

"This $3 million investment is an investment in people, opportunity and the future of Central Illinois," said Dr. Jamonica Rolle, president of Illinois Central College. "Manufacturing has long been part of the strength and identity of our region. By investing in innovative learning spaces and technology, ICC will prepare students for high-quality careers close to home while ensuring our local employers have the skilled talent they need to grow, innovate, and remain competitive. This investment is not only about preparing students for today's job-it is about positioning our region for the opportunities of tomorrow."

ICC's manufacturing programs already lead students directly to the workforce. Within the Industrial Electrical program, for instance, three out of four students are employed before they finish the program, and 95% are employed within a year of graduation. These local jobs pay a median wage of $29.25 an hour, according to ICC program data.

The investment also accelerates changes to ICC's manufacturing programming. The upgraded space and equipment will support new stackable credentials, advanced technologies including robotics, and more flexible training, including open-entry/open-exit and asynchronous formats. ICC also plans shorter-term training aligned with employer needs and will explore additional dual enrollment opportunities for area high school students.

"Guided by Illinois' Economic Growth Plan, the State is investing in the future of the next generation through Manufacturing Training Academies," said state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria). "I'm thrilled that Illinois Central College will be part of this initiative to expand access to training and strengthen the manufacturing workforce in our community."

"Students at Illinois Central College will have greater opportunities to succeed in technical manufacturing careers thanks to the State's investments in this new Manufacturing Training Academy," said state Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria). "With a focus on industrial electric and maintenance along with manufacturing engineering technology, students training in these high-demand fields will be great assets to our world-class workforce."

Area employers help shape ICC's manufacturing curriculum and workforce training. More than 20 industry partners participated in a December 2025 summit on Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Electrical training, where they discussed workforce skill needs and validated ICC's existing curriculum.

The project is scheduled to continue through mid-2028, with renovation and equipment installation occurring in phases. The timeline positions the renovated spaces to be ready for student use as early as fall 2028.

Illinois Central College is a two-year community college with campuses in East Peoria, Peoria, and Pekin, Illinois, providing a high-quality, affordable education to prepare students to enter the workforce or to transfer to a four-year institution. ICC is the 2020 awardee of the National Community College Charles Kennedy Equity Award from ACCT, a 2022 and 2025 EDA Good Job Challenge Institution, and the Lead College for the state of Illinois' Workforce Empowerment Initiative. ICC also conducts original research in agricultural fields, including water quality and soil conservation. For more information, visit icc.edu.

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