Nevada Tech Hub, one of 31 officially recognized Tech Hubs by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (E.D.A.), and led by the University of Nevada, Reno, has awarded $1,985,745 to Great Basin College to support the development of a new Industrial Tech Center in Winnemucca, Nevada. With the increasing demand for skilled workers to support the production of critical minerals, including gold, lithium, and other industrial metals essential to lithium battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, Great Basin College is aligning training and courses to career pathways that support industry needs. The facility, located at 3085 Potato Road in Winnemucca, opened in August for the start of the fall semester and is holding classes including electrical and instrumentation, industrial maintenance, diesel technology and more.
Nevada Tech Hub funding, along with support from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) allowed Great Basin College to hire instructors and lease the 10,000 square-foot building for teaching space. The college anticipates that through the spring semester of 2029, the new Industrial Tech Center will train and credential at least 250 new diesel technologists, industrial maintenance technologists, electrical systems technologists, and instrumentation technologists for careers in the lithium battery supply chain.
“As the nation works to advance clean energy technologies and expand domestic lithium production, the demand for highly skilled workers has never been greater,” Dr. Amber Donnelli, President of Great Basin College, said. “This new Industrial Tech Center will allow us to prepare students with the training and expertise needed to meet the evolving workforce needs of the EV battery and critical minerals industries. By aligning education with opportunity, we are not only supporting our local communities but also contributing to the nation’s energy independence and Nevada’s leadership in the new energy economy.”
Great Basin College serves approximately 3,500 students online and at campuses across 10 Nevada counties. With a service area of 86,500 square miles and only 140,000 residents, the school has the most isolated population in the contiguous United States. Due to the rural nature of the school campuses and proximity to Nevada’s mines, careers in mining and natural resources account for 24% of the workforce. The new programs offered at the Industrial Tech Center will provide further opportunities for students to gain specialized skills and secure future-facing jobs.
“Investing in projects like the new Industrial Tech Center at Great Basin College is exactly what Nevada Tech Hub was created to do,” Dick Bartholet, regional innovation officer for Nevada Tech Hub, said. “By strengthening workforce training in rural communities, this facility will help ensure that Nevada has the skilled talent needed to support the lithium battery and critical materials supply chain. These investments not only expand opportunities for students but also drive innovation, create high-quality jobs, and position Nevada as a leader in the clean energy economy.”