State Farm® awards Heartland Community College $1M for EV program

 

[August 17, 2023] 

The electric vehicle manufacturing and maintenance workforce being trained at Heartland Community College is getting a boost from State Farm.

State Farm provided a $1 million grant to support the new electric vehicle/energy storage training facility on the campus of Heartland Community College in Normal, IL. The facility will be named the State Farm Electric Vehicle Lab.

“State Farm is delighted to expand our charitable relationship with Heartland Community College through the State Farm Electric Vehicle Lab,” said Rasheed Merritt, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility. “This innovative hands-on learning environment will equip students of all ages for future in-demand job opportunities in Central Illinois and beyond.”

The donation supports the Electric Vehicle/Energy Storage (EVES) program at Heartland Community College, which launched in the Fall semester of 2021, with students learning electric vehicle maintenance skills at a temporary instructional space leased by the College.

In September of 2022, Heartland began the construction of a facility to support advanced manufacturing and technology training. The facility includes a 6,278 square foot Electric Vehicle/Energy Storage (EVES) center, as well as remodeled space to further support programs such as robotics, HVAC, welding, and digital media.

 Heartland Board of Trustees Chair Becky Ropp,
State Farm Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility Rasheed Merritt,
and Heartland President Keith Cornille.

“State Farm has a history of investing in our community and in Heartland Community College students,” said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “The Heartland students who are developing skills in advanced manufacturing and sustainable energy programs are at the cutting edge of a growing industry that is fueling our economy and strengthening our community as a whole.”

Heartland offers a two-year Electric Vehicle Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree as well as four short-term certificates which include EV Maintenance and Light Repair, EV Energy Storage, EV Service Advisor, and EV Technology. The AAS and Certificates are designed to prepare individuals with the skills and competencies necessary for a variety of successful career options in assembly, maintenance and light repair, service advising, and as electric vehicle technicians.

“The programs supported by this contribution are all about moving students into the workforce,” said Chris Downing, Executive Director of the Heartland Foundation. “State Farm’s commitment to Heartland in an investment not only the College, but also in the most valuable resource any employer needs: skilled people.”

[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]