DECD Commissioner Visits the QVCC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center

Visit to the Quiet Corner Included stop by Commissioner Lehman and Local Officials

A visit to The Quinebaug Valley Community College Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) was part of the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), David Lehman’s tour through Killingly. Hosted by Killingly Town Manager, Mary Calorio, a QVCC alum, and the Killingly Economic Development Director, Jill St. Clair, Lehman had the opportunity to hear, first-hand, the impact the AMTC has in the community and region.

QVCC Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Steve LaPointe, and Assistant Director, of Advanced Manufacturing, Jodi Clark, provided a tour of the 10,000 square foot center and expounded upon the success of the program and continued demand for graduates by local and regional business partners. While visiting Putnam Plastics and United Natural Foods Inc., in the Killingly Industrial Park, Lehman had the opportunity to meet graduates of the program who offered high praise for the program. LaPointe stated, “Our students and graduates not only have fun learning while learning skills in our programs, they continue to succeed in their real-world experiences. They have careers that have a foundation with what they learned at QVCC. We keep in touch with our graduates and it’s a great feeling to see them succeed and add to the growth of Northeast Connecticut.” LaPointe added, “We have opportunity for additional growth by expanding our programs to Willimantic and hope to see this become a reality sooner than later.”

Calorio stated, “We are an innovative area and are here to help retain our local businesses and help them with expansion and unlocking space for new growth.” St. Clair added, “Growth and expansion stems from education. We have the pieces here and just need to make the connections. This is a special program.”

Also joining in on the visit were Connecticut State Senator Mae Flexer, Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Betti Kuszaj, and Shawn Johnston, a QVCC alum.

LEARN MORE:

Advanced Manufacturing Certificate
Mechatronics Automation Technician Certificate

DECD visit to AMTC
Left to Right: Mary Calorio, Jill St. Clair, Jodi Clark, Steve LaPointe, Commissioner David Lehman, Mae Flexer and Shawn Johnston

Release: June 23, 2021