Dabney S Lancaster Community College Real Estate Foundation

The DSLCC Real Estate Foundation and the College are working on renovating a 17,000 square foot building in a designated Opportunity Zone in Buena Vista, Virginia which includes the areas of Rockbridge County and Lexington City. The project will develop a new manufacturing training center and entrepreneurial incubator/makers-space. The project will expand the college's capacity to deliver in-demand training and industry credentials in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanic. Once completed, the project will help upskill the region's workforce by providing a pipeline of skilled workers in high demand fields, which will bolster workforce development, create jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen the regional economy. In addition, the project will serve as an innovation lab for entrepreneurs, individuals will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and facilitate collaboration among those who plan to start or grow businesses to serve unmet needs. This comprehensive approach will address critical needs through programming and access to resources that will ignite a robust community of entrepreneurs and innovators.