TSTC, EDA breaks ground for renovation project

(WACO, Texas) – Leaders from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) ceremonially broke ground on Wednesday, June 28, for a renovation project for two campus buildings.

When completed by April 2025, the Electrical Electronics Center and the Technical Studies Center will be revamped to house five TSTC programs: Biomedical Equipment Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, Instrumentation Technology, Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance, and Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology.

Helping make the project possible is a $3.5 million grant from the EDA, a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Jorge Ayala, director of the EDA’s Austin Regional Office, said the goal in working with communities, higher education institutions and other partners is to foster and invest in economic development.

“We love when a grantee is so committed to a project that they are going to do what it takes to make it a reality,” he said.

The Electrical Electronics Center was built in 1979 and the Technical Studies Center was built in 1983.

“These two facilities have not seen any kind of facelift or renovation since they have been built, so it’s really important because we have the opportunity to get them up to code, but then also create a student learning environment for innovative, more advanced learning,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus.

The buildings will be equipped to handle augmented and virtual learning, remote access and streaming capabilities, according to information from TSTC’s Office of Sponsored Programs.

Brandon McMahan, TSTC’s state department chair for Robotics and Industrial Controls, said he is excited about the project. His program is currently housed in a temporary location in the campus Industrial Technology Center.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to increase the quality of our labs which is going to result in more capable students graduating and going to work in Texas,” he said.

Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.