Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center

The Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center (UAMC) is located on property adjacent to the main campus in a portion of the former Universal Furniture Building. The center was dedicated on October 23, 2014 with then Governor Pat McCrory serving as keynote speaker. A number of local and state officials were in attendance at the dedication and ribbon cutting, including Representative Josh Dobson and Senator Ralph Hise.

 

The Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center is the culmination of a joint partnership that formed during a Golden Leaf planning/ funding process between McDowell County Government, McDowell County Commissioners, economic development leaders, the business community and McDowell Technical Community College. At the time it was envisioned, designed and built, it was unique in North Carolina and throughout the region.

 

The newly-renovated facilities expanded the classroom and lab space for programs located at UAMC. Welding; Machining; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Electrical/Electronics; and Customized Training programs, including those for new and expanding businesses. Industry leaders had design input at every state of the development process, and they continue to serve on advisory committees for the facility. With the help of state and federal funding and a variety of grants, several new pieces of equipment were added to the college’s existing equipment array when the facility opened, and a new state-of-the-art plasma cutter has been added since that time.

 

The MTCC Small Business Center also recently relocated to this facility, where it joins McDowell Economic Development Association in a coordinated effort to provide a comprehensive package of recruitment and services to both new and existing businesses and industries. Many of these companies use our facilities for job fairs, training events and workshops, and industry meetings, and McDowell County Schools have used this site for a variety of training and fairs for public school students of all ages.

 

Eddie Shuford leads our efforts at Universal Advanced Manufacturing facility. He can arrange for classes and training customized for your business, schedule use of our conference rooms or classrooms, arrange for tours or meetings with our economic development partners. He can be reached at 828-652-0652.