Wayne State University will celebrate the groundbreaking of its new Advanced Technology Education Center (ATEC) at noon Wednesday, July 24, at 14601 East 12 Mile Road in Warren. The 40,000-square-foot facility will offer students from Macomb County and surrounding areas the opportunity to attain four-year degrees in high-demand academic programs such as engineering, computer science, business, and advanced manufacturing, and provide collaborative opportunities with area businesses.

The project involves the renovation of an existing structure on the 3.5-acre site. The total estimated cost of the ATEC facility is $12 million, and the ATEC will be open for classes in fall 2014.

Speakers at the event will include Wayne State University President Allan Gilmour, President of Macomb Community College James (Jim) Jacobs, WSU Board of Governors Chair Debbie Dingell, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Warren Mayor Jim Fouts.

Working closely with Macomb Community College, the ATEC will serve as a national model for community college and university partnerships.

A rendering of the ATEC can be found at http://media.wayne.edu/atecrendering2013web.jpg.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.