Future of advanced manufacturing unveiled during AM Hub ceremony
Miami, Butler Tech collaboration serves as cornerstone for workforce readiness
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Published
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub in Hamilton was held on Feb. 2.
Future of advanced manufacturing unveiled during AM Hub ceremony
•
Published
Together, Miami University and Butler Tech Career Technical Center are building a national model for manufacturing education.
On Monday, a packed house filled the new Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub (AM Hub) to celebrate the grand opening of the 375,000-square-foot facility. Hundreds of attendees lined the atrium and surrounding upper levels for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Butler County’s new home for advanced manufacturing education, training, and industry partnership.
“What you see today represents a bold vision, a vision for a growing Butler County and a more powerful Ohio,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said during the hour-long program. “This hub is more than just a building. It is a launchpad to train the future workforce in this high-tech and growing area. It’s about training the next generation of talent, right here in Butler County; a unique education that is forward looking, in demand, and designed to prepare Ohioans for high-paying, sustainable jobs.”
AM Hub provides space for joint programming between Butler Tech and Miami and serves as the foundation for workforce readiness and advanced manufacturing, with learners co-located in the same space.
The $31 million collaboration between Miami, Butler Tech, OhioMeansJobs Butler County, the city of Hamilton, and Butler County officially opened in January.
William Sprankles, superintendent and CEO of Butler Tech, talked of the trust needed to meet an undertaking such as the new hub.
“Meaningful change happens when people are willing to reconsider what a partnership can actually be like,” Sprankles said. “AM Hub has been a radical labor of love with a collective commitment from many people.”
The new facility expands the Miami University Regionals Hamilton campus. Many students at AM Hub can begin their pathway at Butler Tech, with the opportunity to progress to associate and bachelor’s degrees in Engineering Technology at Miami Regionals and undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Engineering and Computing on the Oxford campus.
“What a great thing to celebrate. This is a massive investment, but it’s really about people,” U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson said. “It’s about the future, but it’s also about the people who had a vision for it. We’re right here in Hamilton, Ohio, and the amount of energy, positive energy in the right direction, has come about because of leadership.”
President Crawford, Sprankles, and Rep. Davidson were among 14 speakers at the event, which also included Mary Schell, chair of the Miami Board of Trustees; Brett Guido, president of the Butler Tech Board of Education; J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio; T.C. Rogers, president of the Butler County Board of Commissioners; State Sen. George Lang; State Rep. Diane Mullins; Rick Carfagna, senior vice president of government affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce; State Rep. Jennifer Gross; Zac Haines, Miami trustee; State Rep. Thomas Hall; and Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturing Association.
Randi Thomas, Miami’s vice president of ASPIRE, presided over the official ribbon cutting.
“Today marks a shared commitment to advancing a statewide manufacturing workforce ecosystem, anchored right here in Butler County,” said Schell, who introduced the program with Guido. “The hub represents our commitment to building a talent pipeline that meets today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s opportunities.”
Added Guido: “The transformation of this space has been very impressive. The labs and the equipment, the state-of-the-art technology that our industry partners provide, have all made that possible. Those partnerships are what have turned this facility into something meaningful. They ensure students are not just learning about manufacturing, but they’re preparing for successful careers.”
Guided tours followed the program, which took groups to six zones throughout AM Hub. The zones included opportunities to see OhioMeansJobs workforce resources and career readiness support; labs and classrooms; the robotics arena; the recently dedicated Makino Subtractive Lab; and more.
The hub is located in the former Vora Technology Park, and Rogers noted the building holds a special place in the story of the community as the Knightsbridge headquarters of Champion Paper.
“It stands as a reminder of Butler County’s proud manufacturing heritage,” Rogers said. “Today we honor that legacy by reimagining this historic space for the next era of manufacturing; one driven by advanced technology, skilled talent, and innovation. There’s something so powerful about seeing a building with such deep roots in our past now positioned at the center of our future.”
AM Hub also serves as the cornerstone for Miami University Polytechnic, which is part of MiamiTHRIVE, the university’s strategic plan.
“American strength has always been by creating something, building things, making things, and innovating. That’s the American way,” President Crawford said. “To secure our nation’s future, we must invest boldly in manufacturing technology and education that prepares the next generation of skilled workers, problem solvers, and leaders.
“Our ambition is to lead the nation in manufacturing education, right here in Butler County and the great state of Ohio.”
On Monday, a packed house filled the new Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub (AM Hub) to celebrate the grand opening of the 375,000-square-foot facility. Hundreds of attendees lined the atrium and surrounding upper levels for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Butler County’s new home for advanced manufacturing education, training, and industry partnership.
“What you see today represents a bold vision, a vision for a growing Butler County and a more powerful Ohio,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said during the hour-long program. “This hub is more than just a building. It is a launchpad to train the future workforce in this high-tech and growing area. It’s about training the next generation of talent, right here in Butler County; a unique education that is forward looking, in demand, and designed to prepare Ohioans for high-paying, sustainable jobs.”
AM Hub provides space for joint programming between Butler Tech and Miami and serves as the foundation for workforce readiness and advanced manufacturing, with learners co-located in the same space.
The $31 million collaboration between Miami, Butler Tech, OhioMeansJobs Butler County, the city of Hamilton, and Butler County officially opened in January.
William Sprankles, superintendent and CEO of Butler Tech, talked of the trust needed to meet an undertaking such as the new hub.
“Meaningful change happens when people are willing to reconsider what a partnership can actually be like,” Sprankles said. “AM Hub has been a radical labor of love with a collective commitment from many people.”
The new facility expands the Miami University Regionals Hamilton campus. Many students at AM Hub can begin their pathway at Butler Tech, with the opportunity to progress to associate and bachelor’s degrees in Engineering Technology at Miami Regionals and undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Engineering and Computing on the Oxford campus.
“What a great thing to celebrate. This is a massive investment, but it’s really about people,” U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson said. “It’s about the future, but it’s also about the people who had a vision for it. We’re right here in Hamilton, Ohio, and the amount of energy, positive energy in the right direction, has come about because of leadership.”
President Crawford, Sprankles, and Rep. Davidson were among 14 speakers at the event, which also included Mary Schell, chair of the Miami Board of Trustees; Brett Guido, president of the Butler Tech Board of Education; J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio; T.C. Rogers, president of the Butler County Board of Commissioners; State Sen. George Lang; State Rep. Diane Mullins; Rick Carfagna, senior vice president of government affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce; State Rep. Jennifer Gross; Zac Haines, Miami trustee; State Rep. Thomas Hall; and Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturing Association.
Randi Thomas, Miami’s vice president of ASPIRE, presided over the official ribbon cutting.
“Today marks a shared commitment to advancing a statewide manufacturing workforce ecosystem, anchored right here in Butler County,” said Schell, who introduced the program with Guido. “The hub represents our commitment to building a talent pipeline that meets today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s opportunities.”
Added Guido: “The transformation of this space has been very impressive. The labs and the equipment, the state-of-the-art technology that our industry partners provide, have all made that possible. Those partnerships are what have turned this facility into something meaningful. They ensure students are not just learning about manufacturing, but they’re preparing for successful careers.”
Guided tours followed the program, which took groups to six zones throughout AM Hub. The zones included opportunities to see OhioMeansJobs workforce resources and career readiness support; labs and classrooms; the robotics arena; the recently dedicated Makino Subtractive Lab; and more.
The hub is located in the former Vora Technology Park, and Rogers noted the building holds a special place in the story of the community as the Knightsbridge headquarters of Champion Paper.
“It stands as a reminder of Butler County’s proud manufacturing heritage,” Rogers said. “Today we honor that legacy by reimagining this historic space for the next era of manufacturing; one driven by advanced technology, skilled talent, and innovation. There’s something so powerful about seeing a building with such deep roots in our past now positioned at the center of our future.”
AM Hub also serves as the cornerstone for Miami University Polytechnic, which is part of MiamiTHRIVE, the university’s strategic plan.
“American strength has always been by creating something, building things, making things, and innovating. That’s the American way,” President Crawford said. “To secure our nation’s future, we must invest boldly in manufacturing technology and education that prepares the next generation of skilled workers, problem solvers, and leaders.
“Our ambition is to lead the nation in manufacturing education, right here in Butler County and the great state of Ohio.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub? Visit the website for more information.
