A groundbreaking ceremony for the Advanced Science Research Center at Hillyard Technical Center has been set.

The St. Joseph School District is inviting the public to attend the groundbreaking Friday Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. at Hillyard Technical Center located at 3434 Faraon Street.

Joey Austin with the St. Joseph School District said the plans have been in the works since 2013 on the facility but that it’s been a slow process.

As we previously reported the building will house a science laboratory, as well as strengthen partnerships with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator.

The center’s goal will be to train students of all ages to meet local work force needs.

Donors contributing to the the project include: St. Joseph School District; Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; Congresman Sam Graves, (HUD) grant;  City of St. Joseph;  Buchanan County; Hillyard Industries; Commerce Bank; Gray Manufacturing; Allan Lowenburg; SERTOMA.