MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) — Meridian Community College celebrated a major investment in local workforce development Wednesday, Oct. 21, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Transportation Technology Training Center.
Located in a renovated former automotive repair facility, the new center features classrooms and equipment designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience using the systems and technologies found in today’s transportation industry. The center offers hands-on training in automotive and diesel technology to prepare students for high-demand careers while meeting the needs of East Mississippi employers.
“While we’re certainly excited about this facility, the beautiful classrooms, the state-of-the-art equipment, what we’re really celebrating today is opportunity,” said MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner. “Opportunity for our students, for our local businesses and industries and opportunity for our region”.
The facility supports two primary instructional tracks:
Automotive Technology: Prepares students to become automotive technicians and mechanics through instruction in diagnosing, servicing, and repairing modern vehicles, including complex computer-controlled electrical systems. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Diesel Mechanic Technology: Offers a two-semester certificate program focused on maintaining and repairing commercial trucks, agricultural tractors, construction equipment, and other diesel-powered machinery, aligned with national certification standards.
The center also aligns with the college’s broader vision for transportation technology education, including future training opportunities in aviation maintenance.
“What we have in this program will make a huge difference for our region,” said Josh Waters, vice president of WATERS International Trucks, Truck and Tractor, who spoke during the ceremony.
Funding for the project was provided through a mix of state and federal investments, including:
A $2 million special state appropriation for construction.
Approximately $615,000 in federal funding for equipment.
A $475,000 grant from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission’s State Economic and Infrastructure Development program.
MCC was the only educational institution in Mississippi selected for funding during that grant round.
Through partnerships with nine local employers, the center is expected to address workforce shortages, support job creation, and strengthen the region’s overall transportation industry.
“We’re preparing students to become the very professionals that industry needs,” Dr. Huebner said.
