Ogeechee Technical College Board of Directors Chairman Bobby Jones welcomed attendees to the groundbreaking Thursday morning, November 14, 2024. He extended heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making the day’s sunny weather a perfect backdrop for the Georgia Industrial Systems & Robotics Training Center (GISRTC) groundbreaking, although the rain was right around the corner. He expressed gratitude for the vision, talent, and tenacity that brought the project to fruition, acknowledging that the center is a monumental milestone for the region.
Jones highlighted GISRTC’s significance in advancing economic growth and workforce readiness for the area and state, emphasizing that the center will house cutting-edge technology and programs to equip individuals with the skills needed for today and the future. He acknowledged the special contributions of key supporters, including Speaker Jon Burns, Senator Billy Hickman, Representative Lehman Franklin, County Manager Tom Couch and numerous local leaders and partners like the Development Authority of Bulloch County, Practice Three, and ICB Construction Group.
State Board Member for the Technical College System of Georgia, Doug Lambert began by reflecting on the significance of the grounds where the GISRTC would be established, envisioning them as “hallowed” for generations to come. He expressed that future students will be transformed here, equipped with powerful skills to meet evolving workforce demands. He dedicated the center to the values of service and community, asking for blessings on all contributors, from students and administrators to the construction crew. Lambert emphasized that the center's mission; to educate students with the skills and mindset for the common good, would be the foundation for a brighter future, “where dreamers become doers.”
OTC President Lori Durden thanked attendees, saying that GISRTC's groundbreaking was more than a milestone, it was a testament to the commitment shown by local stakeholders, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), and state leaders dedicated to regional innovation and workforce development. She extended gratitude to Governor Brian Kemp and various state representatives for their support, along with TSCG Commissioner Greg Dozier and other state officials who helped secure funding.
Durden acknowledged key partners, including the Development Authority of Bulloch County, which donated the land, and OTC Vice President Jeff Davis for project oversight. She shared how the vision for GISRTC originated in September 2021 as a collaborative effort with the county to meet local workforce needs. Initially, local funding efforts faced challenges, but the Technical College System of Georgia secured state capital funding, allowing the project to proceed.
The new 37,000-square-foot GISRTC will offer advanced training in automation, robotics, and industrial systems, preparing the local workforce with credentials tailored to industry needs. Durden noted that OTC provided over 240,000 hours of industrial systems training last year, earning trainees more than 2,000 nationally recognized credentials. She highlighted that GISRTC’s expanded facilities would allow OTC to double its training capacity, driving economic growth projected to generate over $9 million annually.
TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier began by praising Georgia’s commitment to workforce development and economic growth. He acknowledged President Durden and her team, along with state leaders, for their dedication to providing opportunities for Georgians. Dozier highlighted the Technical College System of Georgia's mission to maintain a globally competitive workforce through its 22 colleges and 88 campuses, supported by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development.
Dozier recalled the initial stages of the GISRTC project, sharing how he and others, including Benjy Thompson, collaborated to envision a partnership that would secure state-of-the-art facilities for workforce training. Despite initial challenges in securing grant funding, the team persevered, inspired by a visit to an Alabama facility and determined to make GISRTC even more impactful. He thanked the community and elected officials for their strong turnout and support, which he saw as a testament to the region’s belief in the project and its future benefits.
Dozier also recognized the contributions of TCSG board members, state facilities staff, and local leaders who helped bring the center to life. He expressed excitement at seeing GISRTC’s design, which he felt symbolized the talent and potential of future graduates. Citing TCSG’s ongoing enrollment growth, Dozier emphasized the growing demand for technical education and shared his pride in TCSG’s success. He concluded by thanking President Durden and her team, expressing his anticipation for the positive impact GISRTC graduates will have on Georgia’s workforce.
Benjy Thompson opened with appreciation for Commissioner Dozier’s leadership, describing his experience with Georgia’s Technical College System and his deep respect for its role in the state’s success. He joked that President Durden’s persuasive influence ensured a strong turnout from the community, adding a light-hearted note about her ability to “keep dirt” on everyone in attendance.
Thompson, representing the Development Authority of Bulloch County, shared his pride in the Authority’s ongoing support for OTC. Reflecting on past land donations for OTC’s main campus and the Jack Hill building, he called these contributions some of the most impactful investments in the community’s success. He recounted a pivotal meeting with President Durden and Vice President Jan Moore, during which he and former board member Matt Sawhill quickly saw the vision for GISRTC as a “no-brainer.” The Development Authority readily agreed to provide land for the project, driven by two primary factors: the need for a skilled workforce to support the region’s growth and OTC’s reputation for forward-thinking, results-driven leadership.
Thompson praised OTC’s role as a crucial source of skilled labor for local industries and voiced confidence in the training center’s potential to empower the community with future-ready skills. He concluded by expressing pride in the Development Authority’s partnership with OTC and excitement for GISRTC’s positive impact on Bulloch County and beyond.
Rep. Lehman Franklin opened with gratitude and humor, recalling past groundbreakings with strong winds and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to speak. He underscored the significance of the GISRTC groundbreaking as more than an event, calling it a “bold step” toward enhancing workforce readiness and economic strength in Georgia.
Franklin described GISRTC as the first facility of its kind in Georgia, a training center that will set a new standard for workforce development in industrial systems and robotics. He highlighted the center’s role in providing advanced, hands-on training for high-demand industries critical to Georgia’s economy, equipping workers with skills for a rapidly evolving job market. The facility, he noted, is expected to boost the local economy, with a projected $17 million in annual economic output.
Acknowledging the essential support from state leaders, Franklin thanked Governor Brian Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and other legislative colleagues for securing the funding in the 2023 budget amendment. He emphasized the pivotal role of local leadership, crediting individuals like OTC President Lori Durden and Vice President Jan Moore for their dedication. Franklin also recognized contributions from the Development Authority of Bulloch County, Commissioner Greg Dozier, County Manager Tom Couch, and local business leader Billy Crider, who facilitated an Alabama tour to gather insights for the center.
Senator Billy Hickman expressed pride in witnessing Ogeechee Technical College’s growth over the years, especially as a former board member and past president of its foundation. He pointed to GISRTC as a prime example of why Georgia has been recognized for 11 consecutive years as the best state for business. Hickman praised the flexibility and responsiveness of Georgia’s technical college system, noting how quickly it can adjust programs to meet workforce needs.
He highlighted the collaborative vision behind GISRTC, crediting President Durden, Vice President Moore, and Commissioner Dozier for securing the project’s place in the TCSG budget. Acknowledging state leaders, he thanked Governor Kemp, the Senate, and the House for their continued support. Hickman referenced the wisdom of the late Peggy Chapman, who often said, “working together works,” describing GISRTC as an embodiment of that principle.
Recalling the 2022 delegation trip to Alabama’s Robotics Technology Park, Hickman shared how the visit inspired a committed belief in the potential for GISRTC. He celebrated TCSG’s rising enrollment, noting that over 70% of Georgia’s new jobs can be filled by technical college graduates. He also commended OTC for having the highest engagement ratio among Georgia’s 22 technical colleges, serving the counties of Bulloch, Evans, and Screven with strong student participation.
Hickman concluded by emphasizing GISRTC’s transformational role in the region, with the facility set to serve nine counties and offer manufacturers access to advanced, employee-based training. He noted the center’s capacity to inspire young students, create skilled jobs, and attract future manufacturers by assuring them that workforce needs will be met.
House Speaker Jon Burns also expressed his pride in being part of the groundbreaking for GISRTC. Calling it a “great day to be in Georgia,” Burns celebrated the state’s commitment to workforce development.
Burns thanked Commissioner Dozier, President Durden, and other leaders for their dedication to the technical college system. He praised OTC's expanding robotics program and emphasized the collaborative partnerships with institutions like Georgia Southern University. Burns highlighted the importance of workforce readiness, emphasizing that Georgia’s technical colleges are “at the tip of the spear” in training workers for today and tomorrow. He acknowledged that new technology and robotics are essential for Georgia to remain competitive and urged the importance of continuing to invest in technical education.
Burns thanked his legislative colleagues, including Senator Billy Hickman and Rep. Butch Parrish, along with local leaders for supporting GISRTC and ensuring Georgia’s workforce has pathways for skills and career success. He emphasized that these investments are crucial to keeping Georgia’s economic engine strong and prepared for future challenges. Recognizing OTC’s role as a “trendsetter” among technical colleges, Burns commended Durden and her staff for their dedication to student success and preparing the workforce.
In closing, Burns expressed his optimism about GISRTC’s potential to positively impact the local and state economy, helping make Georgia a top place to live, work, and raise a family. He thanked everyone for their support and commitment to the state’s future.
