MEDIA ALERT: Waukesha County Technical College to host groundbreaking ceremony June 16 for Applied AI Lab expansion

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Tuesday, June 9, 2026) – Waukesha County Technical College will host an official groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 16, to celebrate the second-floor expansion of its Applied AI Lab.

The College originally opened the lab in fall 2024, and it quickly became a hub for regional economic growth, helping local businesses implement practical artificial intelligence solutions. Now, the College is expanding the facility with an upper level that will seamlessly integrate student learning with industry activities. This new 12,200-square-foot addition will feature tech classrooms, collaborative workspaces and a creative "pitch pit," among other spaces and amenities. Plus, 720 square feet will be added to the main floor to accommodate stairwells and an elevator.

Once the project is completed in spring 2027, all WCTC AI and information technology-related academic programs will relocate to the new space.

Event details:

• What: Applied AI Lab Second-Floor Expansion Groundbreaking Ceremony, marking the official start of the construction project
• When: Tuesday, June 16, 9-10:30 a.m.
• Where: WCTC Building Q, Main Campus, 800 Main Steet, Pewaukee
• Who: WCTC officials, project donors, business executives, contractor and architect representatives, local legislators and community leaders

Program agenda:

• Welcome and introduction (9 a.m.)
  • Robyn Ludtke, WCTC Foundation president
• Participant remarks on the future of AI
  • Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., President & CEO, WCTC
  • Mike Tillman, President & COO, MP Systems, Inc. / President, PPC Foundation
  • Joel Quadracci, President & CEO, Quad (representing the Quadracci family & Windhover Foundation)
  • Jerry Pettigrew, VP of Talent & Workforce, Waukesha County Business Alliance
• Official groundbreaking and photo opportunity (9:45 a.m.)
• Networking and refreshments

To learn more about AI at WCTC, visit www.wctc.edu/ai.