Investigate and incubate emerging technologies

Employers have long recognized that the development of workplace skills is essential for creating and maintaining a competitive advantage. As the pace of change continues to increase, jobs will become increasingly more complex and specialized, making training and retraining even more important.

The Regional Technology Center (RTC) is a venue for technology-driven programs and services that prepare students to enter the workplace in a number of high-demand, high-wage careers or to continue their education. The RTC is also a place for companies to seek future employees or develop specialized education and training programs that meet their specific needs.

Atrium of the Regional Technology Center

Regional Talent Initiatives (RTI)

The Regional Technology Initiatives (RTI) Office was created to oversee RTC/M-TEC utilization, investigate, and “incubate” emerging technologies expected to impact college programming, support the regions’ economic development efforts and develop strategic partnerships with business/industry and key education partners.

To date, the RTI office has:

  1. Developed expertise in advanced manufacturing applications such as product lifecycle management and computer simulation of product and process technologies.
  2. Managed applied research projects involving medical device development and near-net shape composite systems.
  3. Launched the Mott Community College FABLAB-a digital fabrication product development and prototyping lab patterned after the MIT FABLAB launched in 2001.
  4. Initiated the Mott Community College Entrepreneurship Microloan Program to provide low-interest loans to MCC students and alumni seeking to launch or grow small businesses. 
  5. Represented Mott Community College on several boards, including:
    1. Design and Manufacturing Alliance
    2. Workforce Intelligence Network
    3. National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers
      And several other alliances associated with advanced technology deployment.

The RTI office also works with additional MCC departments to package projects under the Michigan New Jobs Training Program used to fund training programs for companies creating new jobs in Michigan.

Entrepreneurship Microloan Information

MCC’s Microloan program provides up to $1000.00 for start-up and expansion expenses to qualified students and alumni, provided their business is within 25 miles of Flint. Applicants can request a packet on the RTI office in the Regional Technology Center room 2105.

Applicants must:

  1. Verify eligibility as a MCC student or Alum
  2. Present a viable business plan to the Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC) for approval
  3. Apply through the MCC Entrepreneurship Micro Loan Program Loan Review Committee and submit to a credit check.

If approved, the loan is up to $1000.00 with an 18 month repayment period and an interest rate as low as five percent.

RTI Contacts

Mott Community College
1401 E. Court St.
Flint, Michigan 48503
(810) 762-0506
(810) 762-0190
[email protected]
Map
Driving directions to RTC

Thomas Herold - Directory FABlab
Regional Technology Center RTC1112
[email protected]
(810) 232-4553

Marcus Matthews - Assistant Vice President, Workforce and Economic Development
Regional Technology Center RTC2105
[email protected]
(810) 762-0506