Malcolm Cunningham Automotive Group has pledged $100,000 to support the automotive institute at Augusta Technical College.
“Malcolm Cunningham has a deep commitment to supporting workforce development here in Augusta,” Jermaine Whirl, Augusta Tech president, said in a March 19 news release. “This significant investment will ensure that students will be able to receive top-notch training as automotive technicians and launch lucrative careers right here in the CSRA. We are also deeply honored that Mr. Cunningham’s General Manager, Mr. Derric Terrentine, has served on Augusta Tech’s Board of Directors for several years.”
At 65,000 square feet, the automotive institute, which will be located in the former Johnson Motor Co. location at 1122 Walton Way “will dwarf the college’s current 10,000 square foot occupied by the automotive program and help to fill a critical gap in the job market,” the news release said.
“Our plan is really to make this a fully functional simulated auto dealership,” Whirl said at a Nov. 1, 2023 event at the Walton Way location, which revealed the name as the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute. “The opportunity they (students) will have is not only hands on training, but they will do it in a live work environment.”
Cunningham joins with other major donors including the Augusta National Golf Club, the Knox Foundation, Gerald Jones Auto Group and Master Automotive, who have pledged support since the initiative was announced.
“As the owner of Malcolm Cunningham Automotive Group, Inc., I am proud to support Augusta Technical College and its dedication to empowering students and building a brighter future for our community and businesses,” said Cunningham.
The first classes are expected to be offered in Fall 2025, the college announced at the November 2023 event.
“The College currently offers a diploma and numerous technical certificates of credit programs in automotive technology. These offerings will be expanded to include more programs in the new institute. Augusta Tech also plans to add automotive-industry specific classes to its Associated of Applied Science degrees in the School of Business. The institute will also provide noncredit training and upskilling through the College’s Division of Economic Development,” according to the Augusta Tech website.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
