The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) joined state leaders, industry partners, and educators on March 26 at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Waco to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the new $72 million Construction Technologies Center.
The event highlighted both the launch of a modern learning facility and the recent passage of SJR 59 (Proposition 1), which created a permanent endowment to support future skilled trades education facilities across Texas. The new center aims to address the ongoing shortage of skilled trades professionals in the state.
The 120,000-square-foot building was constructed by Rogers-O’Brien Construction and is located along Interstate 35. Five TSTC alumni played key roles as professionals who built labs for future students. During the ceremony, attendees recognized Proposition 1’s success—a measure that passed with strong public support, securing an $850 million endowment for TSTC’s campus growth after seven out of ten Texans voted in favor.
TSTC Chancellor Michael Reeser presented J.D. Hale, TAB’s Vice President of Government Affairs, with the TSTC Torchbearer Award for his leadership during the Proposition 1 campaign. Scott Norman, CEO of TAB, said that the building represents a “sea change” in recognizing skilled trades’ value. Norman also said that “the housing industry is currently over 300,000 homes short” and graduates from this facility will be essential to closing that gap.
The new center brings together programs such as Building Construction Technology, Electrical Construction, HVAC Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology, and Solar Energy Technology into one location. It demonstrates how TSTC plans to expand similar facilities across its eleven campuses statewide following Proposition 1’s approval.
After speeches and awards were presented at the ceremony, guests toured glassed-in labs and specialized training areas inside the new facility.
