Gov. Whitmer signs bill for funding of Macomb Community College’s Mobility and Sustainability Center

State commitment of $26M toward $58.5M renovation and expansion project will increase opportunities in high-demand skilled trades

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed supplemental spending bills that included a $26 million capital outlay appropriation to support the extensive renovation and expansion of M Building on Macomb Community College’s South Campus in Warren, where approximately half of the college’s skilled trades programs are located. The building houses Macomb’s programs in automotive technology, climate control, civil technology, construction (including licensed electrician and plumber training), architectural technology and marine maintenance technology.

“The Mobility and Sustainability Center is vital infrastructure to support Macomb Community College’s ability to uniquely address the talent development needs of Michigan’s automotive, construction, manufacturing, energy and boating industries,” said James O. Sawyer IV, president, Macomb Community College. “This is a critical resource in helping position our residents for careers in high-tech, high-demand, high-wage occupations while sustaining and contributing to the growth of local industry and helping advance the economic prosperity of Michigan.”  

The $58.5 million renovation will reimagine the current 1980-era 74,900 square-foot facility into a 131,000 square-foot Mobility and Sustainability Center. The center will feature state-of-the-art, flexible lab and teaching environments designed to address emerging needs in growing sectors including electric vehicles, sustainable energy management and advanced construction methodologies.

The building will be designed with adaptability in mind, so that it can evolve in concert with rapidly changing technology to meet the needs of current and future programs. This includes a larger capacity for data infrastructure and greater electrical loads, as well as increased classroom and lab space to provide opportunities for more students to pursue high-demand career pathways.

The college’s Mobility and Sustainability Center project received bipartisan support from Macomb County’s delegation to the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate, with Rep. Denise Mentzer playing a pivotal role in shepherding the capital outlay request through the appropriations process.

“This exciting and innovative project will be transformational for Macomb Community College, for Macomb County businesses and for the students,” said Mentzer. “I am proud that I could play a small role in bringing it home to Macomb.”

Construction of the Mobility and Sustainability Center is expected to begin in early 2025, with an approximately 18-month timeline projected for completion. 

About Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded by community colleges and is one of the largest grantors of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor-degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities. 

Media contact: Jeanne Nicol, 586.445.7204, nicolj@macomb.edu