McKee Budgets $60M CCRI Workforce Innovation Center Bond

WARWICK, RI — Thursday, Gov. Dan McKee today joined Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) President Rosemary Costigan, state leaders, labor partners, and industry representatives at CCRI’s Knight Campus to highlight his FY27 Budget’s proposed $60 million general obligation bond creating a Workforce Innovation Center at the East Avenue location.

The proposed bond will support development of a new, state-of-the-art training facility at CCRI designed to expand workforce capacity, strengthen key industries, and create new pathways to opportunity for Rhode Islanders. The workforce and economic investment is part of Governor McKee’s historic $600 million Keep RI Building bond proposal.

“It’s all about J-O-B-S. Jobs are the key to a strong economy, and the CCRI Workforce Innovation Center will pave the way for talented students to find good-paying careers,” said McKee. “This investment will prepare the next generation of Rhode Island’s workforce.”

For more than 60 years, CCRI has served as Rhode Island’s workforce engine, preparing students, training workers, and partnering with employers to meet the state’s evolving economic needs. As the state’s only public community college, CCRI is uniquely positioned to deliver workforce education at scale, combining accessibility, affordability, and strong outcomes, according to a statement about McKee’s announcement Thursday.

“The Workforce Innovation Center builds on that foundation. Comprehensive labor market planning confirms strong and sustained demand for skilled workers across critical sectors, including advanced manufacturing, construction trades, healthcare, information technology, and emerging fields such as clean energy and life sciences,” according to the college.

The Workforce Innovation Center will expand CCRI’s ability to provide affordable, high-quality training that leads directly to employment, ensuring that Rhode Islanders of all backgrounds can gain the skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce without taking on significant debt or leaving the state.

“This is about access, opportunity, and impact,” said CCRI President Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “CCRI has always been Rhode Island’s workforce engine, opening doors for students and responding to the needs of employers. The Workforce Innovation Center allows us to do that at an even greater scale and will ensure that more Rhode Islanders can access affordable, high-quality training that leads directly to meaningful careers.”

“As we seek to build a resilient workforce, we look for options, such as this proposed innovation center, which will help the workers and future workers of Rhode Island to develop the skills necessary to navigate the constantly changing workplace,” said Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick). “I particularly appreciate the concept of a hub here in Warwick that would expand CCRI’s ability to train more students, especially dislocated workers, veterans, adult learners, and recent high school graduates.”

CCRI Workforce Innovation Center Proposal Details

The proposed 44,000-square-foot facility will create a modern, purpose-built environment for workforce training, with industry-standard labs, simulation spaces, and flexible classrooms designed to adapt quickly to changing demands. More than half of the building will be dedicated to hands-on training, supporting expanded programming in advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, maritime, HVAC, welding, and information technology, while also allowing CCRI to grow into emerging industries as they develop.

The Center will expand existing workforce programs and create new pathways that connect directly to employment, allowing students to gain practical, in-demand skills and transition efficiently into the workforce. Just as importantly, it will strengthen CCRI’s ability to partner with employers—aligning training with real-world job requirements and creating opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and customized workforce solutions.

The Workforce Innovation Center is also central to CCRI’s long-term strategy for enrollment and sustainability. As more students seek shorter-term, career-focused pathways, the Center will position CCRI to meet that demand while expanding flexible, stackable credentials.

“CCRI plays a critical role in preparing students for in-demand careers, and the Workforce Innovation Center has the potential to connect more Rhode Islanders to high-quality training and good-paying jobs,” said Mary Barden, Executive Director of the National Education Association Rhode Island. “NEARI is a proud partner of CCRI, and this investment represents a meaningful commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening both the college’s long-term sustainability and Rhode Island’s economy. This is the type of partnership between labor, education institutions, and government that we need to see across the state—from secondary to higher education—that advances careers and supports working families.”

The careers supported through the propoosed Workforce Innovation Center offer strong wages, stability, and long-term growth. Electricians in Rhode Island earn a median wage of more than $44 per hour, while plumbers and pipefitters earn more than $40 per hour. Welders, HVAC technicians, and industrial maintenance professionals commonly earn between $30 and $35 per hour, with opportunities for advancement. Careers in advanced manufacturing and information technology also offer competitive wages and clear upward mobility.

These are careers that allow Rhode Islanders to support themselves and their families, remain in their communities, and contribute to the state’s economic vitality. The Workforce Innovation Center is designed to expand access to those opportunities.

“Work in the 21st century is constantly evolving, and working Rhode Islanders need every tool possible to keep up with changing demands,” said Patrick Crowley, President of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. “The Workforce Innovation Center at CCRI is an excellent opportunity for workers to learn the skills they need to land family-sustaining union jobs as our economy continues to transform.”

The Center has been shaped through close collaboration with employers, labor organizations, and economic development partners across Rhode Island, reflecting a shared commitment to building a stronger, more responsive workforce system. By bringing education, industry, and training together in one place, the Workforce Innovation Center will serve as a statewide hub for workforce development designed with employer input and built to meet real workforce needs.

“The manufacturing and technology-based economy is critical to Rhode Island’s growth,” said Christian Cowan, Executive Director of Polaris. “The Workforce Innovation Center is designed to address both current and projected workforce needs in these sectors while positioning the state to respond to future industry trends.”