FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Indiana Tech has purchased Building 36 at the Electric Works campus in Fort Wayne for $1.5 million, using funds from a $21 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. The building will be transformed into Junction 36, a new advanced manufacturing and innovation hub desig ned to boost economic growth, workforce development, and talent retention in Northeast Indiana. Located at the corner of College and Wall Streets, Building 36 will undergo renovations over the next 18 to 24 months. Once completed, the facility will serve as a center for research, development, workforce training, and small-scale production, while also providing resources for local businesses and entrepreneurs. “This is an exciting step in the development of Junction 36,” said Nate Cheviron, Executive Director of Junction 36. “We’re laying the groundwork for a project that will drive innovation, collaboration, and economic growth in our region.” Community collaboration is a key focus of the project. Junction 36 will bring together educators, students, businesses, and entrepreneurs to foster new ideas and solutions. Indiana Tech will also partner with high school students from Amp Lab, a program that gives students hands-on learning experiences. These students will work alongside Indiana Tech students and Fellows from the Talent Connection program, which focuses on retaining top talent in the area through real-world problem-solving opportunities. The initiative also includes the Public Workshop program, which helps entrepreneurs and learners overcome barriers to success by connecting them with education, training, and other essential resources. Indiana Tech leaders say Electric Works is the perfect location for this initiative, aligning with the innovation district’s mission of driving education and economic impact. Construction is expected to begin soon, with plans to open Junction 36 in the next two years. ...read more read less