State Appropriation Fuels Groundbreaking for Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS), community leaders, industry partners and state officials gathered Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, marking the beginning of a transformational workforce development project that will prepare students and adult learners for high-demand careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

The regional training center, an extension of Charlotte Technical College, is under construction following a $1.75 million state appropriation included in Florida’s 2025–2026 budget and signed by Ron DeSantis. Sponsored by Representative Vanessa Oliver and Senate President Ben Albritton, the funding reflects a collaborative investment in workforce education, economic development and the future of Southwest Florida.

Once complete, the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center will serve as a regional hub for education and job training, offering hands-on instruction, industry-recognized credentials and direct connections to employers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing and other high-wage, high-skill industries.

"This groundbreaking represents much more than the start of construction," said Superintendent Mark Vianello. "It represents new opportunities for our students, our workforce and our community. By investing in advanced manufacturing education today, we are preparing the next generation with the skills needed to succeed in industries that will drive our regional economy for decades to come."

Located within Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park (ECAP) near Punta Gorda Airport, the facility will support Charlotte County Public Schools' expanding Career and Technical Education programs while serving adult learners seeking to upskill or transition into advanced manufacturing careers. The center is designed to strengthen the local workforce pipeline by aligning education with the evolving needs of industry.

Representative Vanessa Oliver, who sponsored the appropriation in the Florida House, said the project demonstrates what can be accomplished through strong partnerships.

"This facility represents an investment in people, opportunity and Florida's future workforce," Oliver said. "I'm proud to have worked alongside Senate President Ben Albritton and our local partners to secure this funding and help create lasting career opportunities for students and residents throughout Southwest Florida."

The project builds on Charlotte County Public Schools' continued investment in Career and Technical Education and follows the district's designation as Florida's first Space Florida School District. Together with recently expanded aviation and manufacturing programs, the new training center will create additional pathways that connect education directly to workforce needs.

"We're excited to see this vision become reality," said School Board Chair John LeClair. "Today's groundbreaking is the result of strong partnerships between education, industry and government, all working toward the same goal: creating opportunities that benefit students, employers and our entire region." 

Construction is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2027-28 school year. 

For additional background on the state appropriation that made this project possible, read the district's previous announcement: