On June 16, Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) buzzed with excitement as donors, college officials, local legislators and community members convened for the groundbreaking of the campus’s Applied AI Lab second-story expansion.
Opened in 2024, WCTC’s Applied AI Lab is a key resource for businesses looking to implement artificial intelligence solutions. The planned 12,200-square-foot second-floor addition will meet the growing demand for workforce training, integrating student learning with industry activities.
The fundraising campaign for the expansion began nearly two years ago with a $1 million lead gift from the Harry V. Quadracci family’s Windhover Foundation. Last fall, the PPC Foundation, the philanthropic vehicle for the PieperPower family of companies, gave a substantial $2 million gift toward the expansion, which includes naming rights. WCTC received additional financial support from individual donors as well as business, community and industry partners.
“Construction begins later this month, and we intend for WCTC and Waukesha to be the hub in AI,” said WCTC President and CEO Rich Barnhouse. “We can’t wait to see what students, grads, researchers and businesses do next.”
Corporate Contractors Inc. is the project’s general contractor, and Zimmerman Architectural Studios will lead its design.
Once the second–story expansion is complete, the new space will be home to state-of-the-art tech classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a “pitch pit” – or entrepreneurial presentation space – and more.
Check out the latest issue of Milwaukee Commerce for more on WCTC’s Applied AI Lab.
