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Adrian Daily Telegram: Walberg tours Hudson training center

February 20, 2015
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg visited Hudson Wednesday and received an update on the status of an engineering and advanced manufacturing training facility there.

Walberg, R-Tipton, toured the Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry, a student and adult education training facility that opened in August. The program — a joint effort between the facility staff and Hudson Area Schools — was developed after the city identified an increased need for skilled tool-and-die and advanced welding workers in not only Hudson, but the region.

SMCSI Program Manager Dan Rogers said it's been "very exciting" to see the program move from an idea on paper to reality.

"As we say in our presentations, we're helping students and businesses win in the global marketplace," he said.

The facility has gained the attention of both local and state officials and manufacturers since opening in one of the former M&S Manufacturing plants along M-34 in Hudson. Gov. Rick Snyder visited the SMCSI Oct. 16, and Rogers said more business owners and school districts are taking an interest in the program. High school students from Hudson, Waldron, Onsted and Pittsford attend the center, and Rogers said officials from Addison Community Schools have expressed interest in learning more about the program.

Walberg said he appreciates that Rogers and his team listen to the pulse of the manufacturing employment market and adapts to its ever-changing needs.

"Oftentimes, we have manufacturers saying what they need in an employee, but then they (training facilities) train the students their way anyway," Walberg said.

"If we have a better and stronger work force, we will all succeed," he said.

Hudson Area Schools Superintendent Mike Osborne said in the end, the SMCSI is the piece of a larger puzzle that will facilitate community growth across the board.

"Training qualified workers for the community creates a win-win situation," he said. "When you have a strong economy, we all win — the schools, towns and businesses."
During the tour, Walberg was shown a hovercraft and an air-propelled T-shirt launcher. Rogers said the students spent a lot of their personal time working on the projects out of intense interest in what they were building.

Walberg said he was impressed with the students' work.

‘You can see why the kids go home and say, ‘Look what I did today,' " he said. "If you're looking for creativity, here it is."

Walberg said he is looking forward to the continued and growing success of the center.

"I hope you will be catching the vision of both the parents and students in the community," he said.
To read the original story in the Daily Telegram, click here.