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June 3, 2026

"I'm moved because so many people came out to celebrate this transformational moment," Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­) President Paul Broadie II said as he addressed Gainesville community and business leaders, state and local elected officials, and members of the greater Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ community Tuesday, June 2 to officially begin construction of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­'s Automotive Technology Training Center at Blount Center. 

"Our students need to be ready for the future, and this facility is going to provide that opportunity," Broadie said.

 "Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ will never stop having an impact, working with our business community to fill your needs."

The Automotive Technology Training Center will be built on the former location of Mauldin's Auto Glass, on the north side of the Blount Center Campus in downtown Gainesville. It will feature interactive classrooms with advanced diagnostic tools and simulators, specialty teaching bays, and it will accommodate up to 60 students each semester, supporting the College's Automotive Service Technology certification program and the Automotive Service Management Technology A.A.S degree program efforts to meet the growing needs of regional employers. 

Classes at the new facility are expected to begin Fall 2027. 

"Our cars are computers," Broadie stressed, addressing the proliferation of hybrid and EVs in the automotive marketplace, and recounting his first encounter with a Waymo vehicle. "No driver," he said. "The technology in our vehicles has greatly changed, and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ is about positioning our students for future careers."

President Broadie ended his remarks by recognizing Florida Senator Keith Perry and former state Representative Chuck Clemons for their vision and support in realizing the $16 million project. "I came to them and said 'I need your support,'" Broadie said. "They said 'We've got you and we'll bring it home.'"

The gold-shovel ceremony for the 17,200-square-foot facility marks the latest of recent investments in new buildings and career tracks in the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­'s Construction and Technical Programs portfolio that serve to satisfy the growing demand for high-skill, high-pay vocations, as well as upgrade proficiency levels for ever-emerging technologies. 

Last fall, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ opened the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing for certifications in HVAC, and Welding, and for a new degree program for Engineering Technology — Advanced Manufacturing. In August 2025, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ partnered with Alachua County Public Works to start the Deisel Systems Technician program, which immediately filled all its seats.

"This project represents far more than a building; it reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality education and workforce training throughout our district — one that is accessible, responsive, and connected to the needs of our community," Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Trustee Caridad "Carrie" Lee said. "This new Center will provide students with hands-on training in a dealership-quality environment, preparing them for an industry that continues to rapidly evolve with new technologies and growing workforce demands."

Eric Duke, a longtime local auto dealer and Fixed Operations Director for Parks Ford of Gainesville, expressed the value of this program to his company and the community at-large. 

"For more than a decade, Parks Motorgroup has proudly supported the program because we understand the value of investing in the next generation of automobile professionals," Duke said. "It's more than just filling jobs; it's about creating opportunity, developing talent and strategically strengthening our community."

 Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker expressed her ongoing support.

"Today represents something transformational," she said. ..." For me today reprsents hope. It presents a bright future that this community has long since been waiting and that it deserves greatly."

Audience members also heard fromand from Chester Cowart, faculty member in the Automotive Technology Program, and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ program graduates Samantha Casali, who has a highly successful career at Parks Ford, and Teddy Cañizares, who opened his own shop and now teaches for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­.

Casali said the program taught her not only technical skills but also how "to stay adaptable and think critically under pressure."

"That's why this facility is so important," she said. "Having the right environment and support system can make a huge difference for students who are trying to build a future for themselves."