Monroe Community College broke ground Tuesday on a new advanced technology center at the Brighton campus.

The nearly $70 million center will house the school's first-in-the-nation optics systems technology program.

The center is expected to open in time for the fall 2026 semester.

"What this means for our community is that there's greater opportunity for residents across every ZIP code that we serve," MCC President DeAnna Burt-Nanna said. "We want to make sure we're uplifting the entirety of our community by providing industry-recognized credentials and making sure they're placed into high-demand careers that offer them a family-sustained wage."

Officials say the ATC will provide hands-on training and offer career pathways in multiple fields, including automotive technology, precision tooling, HVAC service and diesel mechanics.

“Monroe Community College is a cornerstone of workforce development in our region. We must ensure that we continue its history of innovation and job readiness by offering top quality education in high demand fields like automotive technician, HVAC technician and our first-in-the-nation optics program,” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said in a statement.