SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The future of aviation maintenance education in Missouri officially took flight today, Wednesday, June 11, as Ozarks Technical Community College celebrated the grand opening of the Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center. Located near Springfield-Branson National Airport, the cutting-edge facility will begin training students this fall.
Named in honor of former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt—whose support of workforce and technical education has been instrumental across the state—the center represents a significant milestone for the region’s aviation industry and Ozarks Tech’s commitment to hands-on, high-demand career training.
“At Ozarks Tech, serving our community is at the core of our mission. The Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center is a powerful example of how we respond to workforce needs with solutions. By creating this world-class facility, we’re not only preparing students for high-demand careers in aviation maintenance, but we’re also investing in the long-term vitality of our region,” said Chancellor Hal Higdon.
Spanning nearly 30,000 square feet, the Aviation Training Center features a hangar housing four airplanes and a helicopter, as well as four classrooms, two advanced lab rooms and mobile learning zones. The new space will be home to Ozarks Tech’s Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) program, which is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The facility’s location—on the site of the Springfield-Branson National Airport’s former airline terminal—was intentionally chosen to give students proximity to industry and real-time access to aircraft.
The $13.2 million project was made possible through a combination of college funding and significant investment from federal, state and local sources. The State of Missouri contributed $5 million to the facility through MoExcels program funding, the federal government contributed $3 million through congressionally directed appropriations, and the City of Springfield and Greene County each invested $750,000 with ARPA funding.
“Workforce development is essential to keeping our communities strong and our economy growing. Ozarks Tech has consistently led the way in providing the kind of education and training that prepares students for the jobs of tomorrow. I’m honored to be associated with this new aviation training center, which will help meet a critical need in our state’s and nation’s aviation industry,” said former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.
The Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center is the latest example of Ozarks Tech’s long-term vision to expand technical education that supports the region’s economy and workforce. The center complements other recent investments by the college in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and cybersecurity.
The Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center will open for fall classes on Monday, August 18.
For more information about the A&P program, visit the Airframe and Powerplant page.
