Last updated on July 31st, 2025 at 11:04 am
THOMASVILLE, Ga. — When Marvin Bannister tapped a touchscreen and stepped aside, all eyes turned to the sleek piece of metal inside the machine enclosure. A precision drill made swift cuts, an example of the power and potential behind the region’s newest investment in advanced manufacturing.
The live demonstration was part of a recent grand opening celebration at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) in Thomasville. It was an opportunity for guests to get an up-close look at a DMG Mori vertical milling machine and other high-tech tools now in place inside two newly renovated manufacturing labs. The labs support SRTC’s two newest academic programs: Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Precision Machining and Manufacturing, both of which launched this summer as part of a statewide initiative led by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM).
It’s one more part of Georgia AIM’s coordinated effort to transform Georgia’s manufacturing workforce. SRTC is among the first four technical colleges selected to launch new or expanded advanced manufacturing programs. In Thomasville, Georgia AIM provided funding to renovate labs, acquire state-of-the-art equipment, and connect faculty with experts from the Georgia Institute of Technology for advanced training and technical support. Georgia AIM is administered through Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute.
“This is what people need to be invested in,” said SRTC student Kaili Carmen, who recently changed her major after touring the new precision lab. “This is definitely pure, futurized stuff right here that people need to be learning and taking advantage of. For this school to be able to have all this equipment is really awesome.”
The investment is already inspiring students like Carmen to envision new career paths and is equipping them with in-demand skills tailored to the region’s needs. Nestled in South Georgia, some 40 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida, Thomasville is home to a range of small and mid-sized manufacturers, many of which are seeking to modernize operations but lack access to trained workers or resources for upskilling.
“We knew there was a need among local manufacturers for upskilling and adopting new technology, but many don’t know where to start,” said Mason Miller, vice president of academic affairs at SRTC. “These new programs incorporate in-demand skills for our region, which translates into a win-win for our students and our manufacturers.”
In addition to infrastructure support, Georgia AIM’s statewide partnership network has unlocked key resources through Georgia Tech. Through its Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) and the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Tech has supported SRTC faculty with CNC machining expertise, while also helping to connect the college with Makino, a global manufacturer of CNC machines. That partnership helped round out the equipment lineup and ensure students are trained on machines used in industry today.
The labs now house:
- A Makino wire EDM machine
- Several DMG Mori milling machines
- An Amitrol Smart Factory Mechatronics training system
- PLC, motor controller, and wiring simulation stations
- Manual lathes and grinders for foundational training
Beyond technical instruction, Georgia AIM is helping SRTC build deeper connections with K-12 schools, local manufacturers, and educators. Through new programs such as teacher externships in manufacturing and high school summer internships, students and educators alike are gaining firsthand experience with cutting-edge tools and opening the door to new career possibilities.
“These programs are about more than equipment or curriculum,” added Miller. “They’re about creating lasting connections that grow the local economy, empower students, and prepare southwest Georgia for the future of manufacturing.”
At the open house, those connections were on full display as students, educators, and business leaders gathered to celebrate a new chapter in regional workforce development — one made possible by a bold vision and strategic partnerships catalyzed by Georgia AIM.
Learn more about TCSG’s manufacturing programs and connect with manufacturer needs.