Shovels hit the dirt Friday (Aug. 14, 2026) at Southeast Technical College as administration, faculty and staff, elected officials, industry partners, community supporters and members of the Abdnor family celebrated the groundbreaking of the James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing, a transformative project that will expand STC’s workforce training capacity and help meet the growing demand for skilled manufacturing professionals across South Dakota.
Scheduled to open in Fall 2028, the facility will include more than 53,000 square feet of new and renovated space featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms and collaborative learning environments. The center, named after former US Senator James Abdnor, will support programs including Advanced Manufacturing Maintenance Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Automation Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Welding, to increase capacity for approximately 130 additional students each year.
The project received a $6 million state appropriation and is supported through a combination of federal, state, local and private investments. The approximately $18 million facility is designed to help meet the increasing demand for highly skilled manufacturing professionals across South Dakota.
“This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It represents our commitment to students, employers and the future of South Dakota’s workforce,” said Dr. Cory Clasemann, president of Southeast Technical College. “The Abdnor Center will provide students with access to cutting-edge technology, hands-on learning experiences and industry partnerships that prepare them to excel in high-demand careers from the moment they graduate.”
Sen. John Thune, R.-S.D., praised the project’s role in strengthening South Dakota’s workforce pipeline.
“Jim Abdnor was not only a mentor and role model to me but also a close friend, and he was devoted to setting the next generation up for success and helping them reach their full potential,” said Thune. “The Abdnor Center will help continue that mission by investing in and supporting South Dakota’s workforce and equipping students with the skills they need to excel in careers that are critical to the future of our region and state.”
“As we break ground today, we are building more than a facility,” Clasemann added. “We are building opportunities for students, strengthening our workforce and investing in the long-term prosperity of South Dakota.”
Event photos will be available at www.southeasttech.edu/news/
ABOUT SOUTHEAST TECHNICAL COLLEGE: Southeast Technical College is a career-focused learning environment for determined students who expect a life-changing education that gets results. More than 65 associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and stand-alone courses provide pathways to professional accomplishment utilizing skills-relevant facilities and Sioux Falls as an extended classroom. Southeast Tech is a smart investment for students to launch their in-demand, technical careers in two years or less. Learn more at www.southeasttech.edu.
Comments