Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon joined local and industry leaders Tuesday for the grand opening of the Advanced Machine and Vehicle Innovation Center (AMVIC) in Columbus.

The center launches with more than $9.1 million in combined public and private funding, including $1.07 million from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission, $1 million in READI dollars, and over $7 million in private contributions.

Mayor Ferdon hailed the facility as a significant investment in the city’s workforce development and economic growth. “Workforce development is the linchpin for making innovations in this area of work,” Mayor Ferdon said. “We are a manufacturing town, but we are only successful if we have skilled and well trained employees to perform the jobs.”

Gov. Braun praised Columbus as an “oasis of prosperity” and emphasized the need to expand STEM education and workforce development statewide.

AMVIC will focus on testing and validating next-generation commercial vehicles, machines, and power systems. The event featured a ribbon cutting and tours of the center’s advanced labs.