Lanier Technical College is getting a $1 million boost to pay for equipment and other needs at the new campus off Ga. 365 at Howard Road in Gainesville.
Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp. and Kubota Industrial Equipment Corp. donated the amount to the Lanier Technical College Foundation, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday, May 16.
The donation is part of a $5 million campaign conducted by the foundation to pay for program needs, including allied health equipment, computers and instructional tools.
“Kubota’s presence in Georgia continues to be one of our state’s great business success stories,” Deal said. “This donation demonstrates the profound interest that private companies have in the development of Georgia’s classroom-to-career pipeline.”
Investing in the new campus, which is expected to start classes in January, “will help to create even more opportunities for the ever-increasing emphasis on technical education and workforce development,” the governor added.
Kubota, which makes zero-turn mowers, sub-compact tractors and utility vehicles, is a “tremendous business partner of Lanier Technical College, and today’s donation is a testament to their commitment to the local community and to Georgia,” Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Matt Arthur said.
“The Technical College System of Georgia provides Georgia businesses with a skilled workforce, and when global companies like Kubota make investments in our colleges, it means industry values what we do.”
Lanier Technical College President Ray Perren said the school and Kubota “have enjoyed an outstanding business relationship for many years.”
“Words cannot express the gratitude we have for this transformative gift. Kubota’s generosity will allow thousands of students to begin their careers at Lanier Tech and change the trajectory of their lives forever,” he said. “We are honored and humbled to have such remarkable support.”
Hirohiko Arai, president of KMA and KIE, said the Kubota group “is delighted to be able to support the education of future generations with this contribution.”
“This year marks an important milestone as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kubota here in Georgia,” he said. “It is our greatest pleasure to make a contribution in supporting Georgia’s future.”
An Oct. 19 ribbon-cutting ceremony has been set for the $131 million, 95-acre campus.
The campus will feature six buildings with a combined 335,000 square feet, compared to the 180,000 square feet on 43 acres at the current campus it shares in Oakwood with the University of North Georgia. There will be capacity for about 5,000 students.
Compiled by Jeff Gill