Columbia State, TCATs Host Southern Regional Technology Center Grand Opening

COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Sept. 16, 2026 — Columbia State Community College, alongside partners, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology - Hohenwald and Pulaski, hosted a grand opening and drone show for the new Southern Regional Technology Center on Friday, Aug. 21.

The event drew community members, as well as local and state leaders, to celebrate the opening of the new facility, which will serve as a regional hub for hands-on training and career education in high-demand fields including medical laboratory technology, nursing, practical nursing (LPN), veterinary technology, medical informatics, radiologic technology, respiratory care, engineering systems technology, welding, HVAC and automotive technology.

The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with a grand opening ceremony featuring speeches from Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Flora Tydings, the presidents of all three colleges and Matt Storey, Hoar Construction project executive. 

Caption (Auto-3862): Community members gather for the grand opening ceremony of the Southern Regional Technology Center.

“Thank you to TBR, TCAT Pulaski, TCAT Hohenwald, Columbia State and the many local businesses and community leaders who really made this a possibility,” Storey said. “Dr. Smith and her team have been an incredible partner over these past 10-plus years from the Williamson Campus to this transformative facility. Her leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunity have been the driving force behind making all these projects become a reality. The Southern Regional Technology Center will serve as a regional hub for workforce development, creating opportunities for students, supporting local employers and helping strengthen the economy of southern Middle Tennessee. It is especially rewarding as a builder to be part of projects that will fuel workforces in our industry and ones alike.”

Caption: (AMS1292): Matt Storey, Hoar Construction project executive, speaks at the grand opening for the Southern Regional Technology Center.

Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, spoke about all the work that led to the creation of the building and partnership, as well as what the building will mean to students in the region.

“Today marks far more than just the opening of a new building,” Smith said. “It represents years of vision, partnership, perseverance and the unwavering commitment to the students and the communities we serve. The vision of this facility began with the need to replace aging health sciences facilities with learning spaces designed for today's healthcare education. So, in partnership with TCAT Hohenwald and TCAT Pulaski, we created a shared regional resource to serve students, support employers and to strengthen communities throughout southern Middle Tennessee; the result is the SRTC. The SRTC is ultimately an investment in people. It is an investment in workforce development. It is an investment in stronger communities, and it is an investment in future generations. This facility demonstrates what can happen when educational institutions, government leaders, community partners and industry work together around a shared vision. Years from now, the true measure, the very true measure of this facility will not be found in the walls or the laboratories or the technology. It will be found in the thousands of students who learn here, the careers they build and the communities they strengthen. That, my friends, is the legacy we celebrate today. That is the SRTC.”

Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president.
 

Mike Whitehead, president of TCAT Pulaski, and Dr. Kelli Kea-Carroll, president of TCAT Hohenwald, both spoke about the collaboration between institutions, as well as which TCAT programs will now be offered at the SRTC.

“The Southern Regional Technology Center is a great example of what can happen when institutions work together, and when they collaborate and focus on what is best for our students and the communities that we serve,” Whitehead said. “That's really what this facility is all about—access and opportunity. TCAT Pulaski is very proud to offer two programs here at the SRTC: welding technology and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. Both are high-demand programs that prepare students for careers that are essential to the industries, businesses and communities throughout southern Middle Tennessee. Whether a student receives training here at the SRTC or at our main campus in Pulaski, our goal is the same: to provide high-quality, hands-on technical education that leads to a great career and provides the skilled workforce that our region needs.”

Mike Whitehead, TCAT Pulaski president.
“For TCAT Hohenwald and the SRTC, it is a dream come true for our technical program to include automotive, which will also include EV and hybrid, and for practical nursing, with the SRTC providing a permanent home and existence in Maury County for future economic growth and a steady supply of quality technical graduates for our workforce,” Kea-Carroll said. “With our motto, ‘Career in a Year,’ isn't it exciting to think that within a year we will see students graduate and walk across the stage right here, maybe this very day? This joint collaboration and partnership of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, student success and workforce development is an example of what may be accomplished with our system when goals align.”

Dr. Kelli Kea-Carroll, TCAT Hohenwald president.
 

Tydings closed out the speeches by speaking of the legacy of Columbia State, as well as how support from the state made the project possible.

“What we do at our system every single day is about the business of why you're here,” Tydings said. “This is a community effort. The community stepped up and helped us in ways that we will be forever grateful, because this college is a part of you. It is a part of your students. It's a part of your graduates. It’s a part of your workforce every single day. It's been here for 60 years because you have supported this college, and we are so thankful to you for that. At the Tennessee Board of Regents, we believe in being efficient. We believe in using our buildings to the best of our ability. So, you have three colleges operating in one facility. It will be nonstop, all day long and all night long. So that we look very forward to. I also want to point out that there is a gentleman that we need to thank, and that is Governor Bill Lee. This building is part of a $1.5 billion investment that he has made in the state of Tennessee over the last three years. He put that money in the budget, but there are two gentlemen here tonight who had to vote for that money to stay in the budget, and that is Senator Joey Hensley and Representative Scott Cepicky. We would not be here without them. To everyone who made this possible, thank you for being here. Thank you for supporting this school. Please continue to support the work that will be happening here as it moves forward into its next 60 years.” 

Dr. Flora Tydings, Tennessee Board of Regents chancellor.
Following the opening ceremony, local and state leaders and donors gathered for the ribbon cutting. 

Local and state leaders gather for the official ribbon cutting of the Southern Regional Technology Center. 
After cutting the ribbon and officially opening the new facility, attendees explored the new center, learning about the career programs and courses offered while enjoying live music by Merchants of Cool. 
he celebration concluded with a spectacular 300-drone light show, marking not only the grand opening but also Columbia State's 60th Anniversary and America's 250th birthday.

Drones create an image of a crane pulling up the Columbia State shield logo.


 

Columbia State is a comprehensive community college serving southern Middle Tennessee, dedicated to nurturing success and positively changing lives through teaching, learning and service. Established in 1966 as Tennessee’s first community college, Columbia State has grown to five campuses, including Columbia, Williamson, Lawrence, Lewisburg and Clifton. The college was named the 2021 Community College of the Year at the annual TBR SOAR Awards, and was recognized as a finalist in 2020 and 2023.

Columbia State has also been recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges as a finalist in their Awards of Excellence in the following categories: Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership, 2022 and 2018; Advancing Diversity, 2020, 2018, and 2014; and Student Success, 2018. In addition, the college was named one of the Top 150 U.S. community colleges by the Aspen Institute for 2019 and 2017. Visit ColumbiaState.edu to learn more.

The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 140,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.