Wayne State University’s Board of Governors approved the issuance of bonds to partially fund construction of the Wayne State University Advanced Technology Education Center (ATEC) in Macomb County. Total estimated project costs for the planned 40,000-square-foot facility are $12 million.

The proposed ATEC facility, located in Warren, Mich., adjacent to Macomb Community College (MCC), will involve the renovation of an existing structure on the 3.5-acre site at 14601 East 12 Mile Rd.

The new ATEC facility will offer students in Macomb County the opportunity to attain four-year degrees in marketable academic programs such as engineering, computer science, business, advanced manufacturing and other disciplines, while providing collaborative opportunities with the business community in the area.

Wayne State, working closely with MCC, also will have an opportunity to create an electric vehicle technologies center of excellence where WSU and MCC faculty can engage in research, program development, and delivery of electric and automotive battery technologies.  

“We are excited about implementing this next phase of the university's education strategy in Macomb County, which will serve as a center of excellence and a national model for universitycommunity college partnerships,” said Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president of educational outreach and international programs at Wayne State University. “We look forward to working with our partners at Macomb Community College and the Macomb business community to develop and offer educational and research programs that meet the talent and workforce needs of Macomb and the State of Michigan.”  

Construction for the ATEC facility is under way and the building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014.