Baton Rouge, La. -- Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Rapides Foundation to establish the Central Louisiana Manufacturing Technology Center and to build and expand manufacturing programs regionally, including welding and fabrication.  The announcement was made today during the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Board of Supervisors meeting.  CLTCC plans to rename its current Manufacturing Training Center the Central Louisiana Manufacturing Technology Center. The manufacturing center will be relocated downtown as part of the new CLTCC Alexandria Main Campus.

The $2 million economic development grant from the Rapides Foundation will improve the health status of Central Louisiana, decrease unemployment, and train residents for higher wage jobs, with an overall goal of healthier people and healthier communities.  The grant funds will be disbursed over a three-year period.

"The students that receive this training will be able to earn higher incomes and we as a foundation believe that translate into better health," said Rapides Foundation President and CEO Joe Rosier.

Project priorities include Advanced Manufacturing, Computer Aided Design, and Welding Fabrication; Recruitment of high school students and adult learners for manufacturing-related programs via Career Compass; and interactive video capability for remote course delivery. 

At today's meeting, the (LCTCS) Board of Supervisors also appointed Dr. William Wainwright Interim Chancellor of Delgado Community College effective Thursday, September 13, 2018.  The announcement occurred during the Board of Supervisors meeting in Baton Rouge.  Wainwright was appointed on an interim basis by the Board as a result of Delgado Chancellor Joan Davis stepping down to accept the position of Vice President of Administration & Policy at the LCTCS Board Office.  

"As a Board, we are happy that Dr. Wainwright has agreed to lead Delgado on an interim basis," said LCTCS Board Chairman Stephen Toups.  "Dr. Wainwright is an experienced leader.  He is very knowledgeable of the local and business community in the greater New Orleans region.  We believe he is the best fit to continue moving the college forward."

Wainwright has served as Chancellor of Northshore Technical Community College since 2011 and has been with the LCTCS for 20 years.  He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette in Criminal Justice, his graduate degree from Northwestern State University in Adult Education and his doctorate degree from the University of New Orleans in Higher Education Administration.

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