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History of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCE)
The idea for the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCE) was first described in a 1996 HudsonInstitute
report commissioned by the Columbus Economic Development Board.
The report stated, “Common challenges and opportunities exist within regional companies in the manufacturing sector,
providing an opportunity for the Center of Excellence to partner with academic centers to position this region as a
magnet that would attract highly qualified experts and new companies.”
Between 1999 and 2007, numerous plans were developed to move the idea of a “center” forward. In 2007, the Heritage
Fund, the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and the Community Education Coalition of Columbus, Indiana were
awarded funding by Lilly Endowment Inc. for the AMCE as part of a broader initiative to raise-up every person in
Southeast Indiana from an education and or career standpoint.
The broader initiative, Economic Opportunities through Education (EcO15) is in its fourth year of operation. With the
opening of the AMCE, a significant chapter in advancing manufacturing education through expansion of two and four-year
technology and engineering-related degrees by Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, Ivy Tech Community College,
and Purdue College of Technology will be realized.
 What is the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCE)?
The Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCE) is a 43,000 square foot facility shared by Indiana University-Purdue
University Columbus, Ivy Tech Community College, and Purdue College of Technology. It contains classrooms, teaching laboratories,
and support services for students and employees pursuing education and training in advanced manufacturing and technology-related
careers. The facility allows education, workforce and business development programs to increase the productivity and competitiveness
of the manufacturing sector in Southeast Indiana. The state-of-the-art AMCE facility provides students with the opportunity to pursue
education built around a curriculum of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
AMCE Facility and Program Overview
The AMCE provides educational facilities and equipment to support post-secondary preparation and skills training for
manufacturing and related industries.
Facility
- 43,000 square feet
- 4 technically equipped classrooms
- 13 technically equipped laboratories*
- 34 professional offices
- 2 conference rooms
- 2 courtyards
Program
- Two-and four-year technology and engineering-related degree offerings
- Training (on-site and virtual)
- Certification center
- Executive education
- Business support expertise and information
- Research support
- Prototyping
- Best Practice workshops
- Student projects and demonstrations
AMCE Laboratories*
- Computer Labs
- Computer Networking
- Fluid Mechanics
- Materials and Heat Treatment
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Metrology (Precision Measurement)
- Physics/Science
- Programmable Logic Control (PLC)/Control Systems
- Robotics (from computer simulators to fully functional industrial robots)
Purpose of the AMCE
- To prepare students and employees for advanced manufacturing careers in Southeastern Indiana
- To strengthen the competitiveness and appeal of Southeastern Indiana to local and global manufacturing companies
- Provide a 21st Century workforce with certification and degree opportunities in advanced manufacturing
- Inspire students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career pathways
- Increase the competiveness of advanced manufacturing companies within the region through training and sharing of best practices
- Offer space, tools and resources to address specific manufacturing education and training-related needs
- Link the programs of the AMCE to educational sites throughout Southeast Indiana and beyond, especially to regional EcO15 integrated technology labs
Why is the center so important to Southeastern Indiana?
Manufacturing is the most important sector in terms of both employment and earnings in Southeastern Indiana. As the
chart below demonstrates, the region has three times the concentration of production and engineering occupations than
can be found within the other regions throughout the United State. Thus, it is necessary that we invest heavily in the
human networks and educational infrastructure necessary to build on these talent-based strengths.
Academic Programming Leading to Degrees and Professional Development & Training
Project Contributors
Major Funder
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Partner
Heritage Fund- the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
Design and Construction
Design Architect: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
Architect of Record: RATIO Architects, Inc.
Construction Management: Taylor Bros. Construction Co., Inc.
Construction Consultant: Harold Hatter
AAA Lawn Irrigation, Inc.
Bruns-Gutzwiller, Inc.
C Ed Mullins
Chance Bros. Marble and Tile Inc.
Circle B Construction Systems, LLC
Designscape Horticultural Services, Inc.
Force Construction Co., Inc.
Forster Electrical Services Inc.
Kenny Glass Inc.
Lester Painting
Milestone Contractors, LP
Nading Mechanical, Inc.
Perry Acoustics, Inc.
Southern Roofing, Inc.
Steel Supply & Engineering
Metrology Lab Equipment
Cummins Inc.
Ownership and Management
Columbus Learning Center Management Corporation
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