These renderings by the Augusta firm McMillan Pazdan Smith give hope to ATC students and those looking to join the lucrative car business.
Augusta Technical College was awarded a $6,808,307 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Monies will support completion of the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, a workforce development project at 1122 Walton Way, in the former Johnson Cadillac Dealership.
The federal investment represents a major milestone in Augusta Tech’s efforts to expand high-demand technical training and strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. The renovated facility will serve as a state-of-the-art automotive workforce training center, designed to prepare students for careers in automotive maintenance technology, including internal combustion, electric, hybrid, and diesel engines.
“This grant is a powerful investment in Augusta’s economic future,” said Dr. Kendricks D. Hooker, President of Augusta Technical College. “The Jim Hudson Automotive Institute will directly address critical workforce shortages while creating pathways to high-wage, in-demand careers for our students. By transforming a legacy automotive site into a modern training facility, we are aligning education, industry, and economic development in a way that delivers real value to employers and opportunity to our community.”
Located on a 6.4-acre site in a historic transportation corridor, the approximately 33,000-square-foot facility will occupy roughly half of the existing building. The Institute will expand Augusta Tech’s automotive training footprint and serve hundreds of credit and non-credit students annually. It is designed to support dealership operations, fleet maintenance, and emerging vehicle technologies, while providing hands-on, industry-aligned instruction that responds to both regional and national labor market demand.
The project has drawn strong public and private support, including early philanthropic investments from community and industry partners. Regional economic leaders have emphasized the Institute’s role in meeting persistent talent shortages, supporting employer competitiveness, and repurposing existing commercial infrastructure for lasting community impact.
