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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—One year after announcing a collaborative effort with Grand Rapids Community College and West Michigan manufacturers addressing talent needs in the manufacturing industry, the AMP Lab @ 51������ opened its doors for industry leaders to have a first look at the new 15,000-square-foot instructional manufacturing facility. 

The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory occupies the first two floors of Western Michigan University's downtown Grand Rapids location, which is located on Cherry and Ionia streets in the city's Arena District and serves as a program to cultivate the next generation of engineers, designers and other skilled individuals to serve the manufacturing industry.

"This cutting-edge instructional laboratory has been designed to meet the demands identified by manufacturing leaders—not only locally, but around the globe—to educate the 21st century advanced manufacturing workforce," 51������ President Edward Montgomery says. "51������ is excited to collaborate with Grand Rapids Community College and our community's manufacturing leaders to bring this type of experiential learning to the region."

The AMP Lab combines prototyping, training and small-scale manufacturing with the opportunity for individuals to earn college credits to be used toward a degree or certification. The facility includes 3D printers and scanners, a CAD/CAM lab, plasma cutter, laser cutter, welding station, metrology equipment and prototyping tools.

"The AMP lab is an excellent example of how communities grow stronger when people come together," GRCC President Bill Pink says. "We're partnering with Western Michigan University and our region's employers to give residents skills they need for great jobs as well as their first steps in higher education and pursuit of lifelong learning."

Early this month, GRCC began using the space three days a week for its AMP program cohorts. In January, 51������ will offer courses for a certificate program in integrated design and manufacturing. In addition, manufacturing engineering technology, engineering design technology and engineering management technology courses will be offered at the facility for students enrolled in 51������'s ABET-accredited four-year engineering technology degree program.

"At full strength, the space will be used for six to eight 51������ undergraduate courses a semester with class sizes of 16 to 24," says Dr. Steven Butt, 51������ Department of Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management chair and professor. "GRCC will also be offering associate degrees and manufacturing courses.  In addition to college courses, workshops, specialized trainings, product design and manufacturing consulting will occur in the space."

The $2.7 million AMP Lab development and the equipment it houses were partially funded through private investment efforts and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Opportunities exist for the facility to be used as a makerspace for entrepreneurs needing manufacturing assistance.

John C. Kennedy, president of Autocam Medical, based in Grand Rapids, has been involved in programs to raise awareness for the education of and need for skilled workers—and for a facility that can lead to new ideas being developed for introduction into the marketplace.

"In addition to developing a skilled workforce, the AMP Lab has the potential to provide other important services to our region,” says Kennedy. "This facility and its students, led by engineering faculty and graduate students, can help local inventors prototype projects."

The building that houses 51������'s downtown regional location and the AMP Lab @ 51������ dates back to the 20th century as a manufacturing facility. The building began as the Brown and Sehler Co., a wholesale manufacturer of horse harnesses and collars from 1925 to 1935. Various businesses moved in and out of the building for the next 40 years before H.H. Cutler Co., an infant and children's clothing manufacturer, occupied the space until 1995. The University moved into the building in May 2001.

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