Trinidad State College, Pueblo Community College, and Emergent Campus Secure $5.75M Grant to Boost Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways

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Trinidad State College, Pueblo Community College, and Emergent Campus receive $5.75 million grant to strengthen career pathways in advanced manufacturing.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced $65 million in funding through the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants, with Southern Colorado receiving a transformative $5.75 million grant. This funding will empower a coalition of colleges, workforce agencies, non-profits, and employers to address critical regional workforce and economic needs by strengthening advanced manufacturing career pathways.  

Trinidad State College will serve as the fiscal lead for this collaborative initiative, joined by key partners: Pueblo Community College, Emergent Campus, Fremont Economic Development Corporation, South Central and San Luis Valley BOCES, Colorado Education Initiative, Data Driven Economic Strategies, Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium, SkillsUSA, Upper Arkansas Council of Governments, and a host of employer partners from the manufacturing sector. 

Trinidad State College and Pueblo Community College will expand program tracks in areas such as robotics, automation, welding, and construction, aligning workforce training with the demands of emerging industries such as clean and renewable energy, affordable housing, and transportation. These sectors are experiencing rapid growth due to significant state, regional and national priorities:

Focus AreaKey Drivers and Impacts
Clean Energy TransitionColorado’s goal to achieve 100% clean electricity generation by 2040 is driving demand for skilled workers in renewable energy systems.
Affordable Housing InnovationRobotics, automation, and repeatable processes are making construction more affordable
Transportation Infrastructure GrowthMajor projects like the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, a federal initiative to connect the U.S. heartland with Canada and Mexico, positions Southern Colorado as a key logistics and manufacturing hub. The planned I-27 corridor will intersect I-25 just south of Trinidad.

A cornerstone of the initiative is building stronger connections between education and industry.  Emergent Campus, a rural business incubator with operations in Florence and Trinidad, will drive business growth in advanced manufacturing while offering students hands-on opportunities through internships and work-based learning programs.

Key employer partners include:

  • VeroTouch (housing)
  • Innovative Energy (solar)
  • Stormant Designs (engineering)
  • Barn Owl Precision Agriculture
  • 3 Rocks Engineering

Emergent Campus has developed a proven model for bringing employers and high-wage jobs to rural communities, generating over 150 local jobs and additional remote work opportunities since 2019.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which brings greater strength and visibility to our region,” said Dr. Rhonda Epper, president of Trinidad State College. “This funding will enable a major upgrade to our advanced manufacturing training labs in both Trinidad and Alamosa, ensuring our students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.” 

Headshot of Rhonda Epper

This funding will enable a major upgrade to our advanced manufacturing training labs in both Trinidad and Alamosa, ensuring our students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Dr. Rhonda EpperPresidentTrinidad State College

Pueblo Community College president Dr. Chato Hazelbaker, echoed this enthusiasm, “PCC is proud to be a partner in this work to build a stronger manufacturing presence in Southern Colorado. The partners in this grant have a track record of working together, delivering strong outcomes for students and businesses.”

The grant funding will be distributed over a four-year period, beginning in March 2025 and continuing through February 2029.


About CCCS

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education and workforce development, delivering thousands of programs to over 124,000 students annually through 13 colleges and 35 locations across Colorado. The System’s open-access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to high quality, affordable higher education opportunities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy, and support to the colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Join us in changing the way Colorado goes to college cccs.edu.

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