Columbus State Breaks Ground on $22.2M Tech Center
The Jack & JoRhee Pezold Center for Emergent Technology will expand STEM education and workforce training in the Chattahoochee Valley.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Columbus State University broke ground on the $22.2 million Jack & JoRhee Pezold Center for Emergent Technology. The ceremony was moved indoors to the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center because of rain.
Why it matters
The facility will become the future home of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and CSU's robotics engineering program. The project aims to expand STEM education and workforce training across the Chattahoochee Valley.
The $22.2 million project is funded through a combination of federal, state and local government money along with private donations. The breakdown of each funding source has not been disclosed in the available details.
The players
Columbus State University
A public university in Columbus, Georgia, serving the Chattahoochee Valley region.
The details
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the center set to open in fall 2028. The facility will house the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and CSU's robotics engineering program.
Timeline
Early 2027: Construction expected to begin.
Fall 2028: Center expected to open.
Season Trajectory
The Coca-Cola Space Science Center, a longstanding STEM outreach program, moves into a purpose-built facility under the new Pezold Center. The move signals a broader expansion of Columbus State's emergent technology and workforce pipeline.
Residents in the Chattahoochee Valley may gain access to expanded STEM education and workforce training programs once the center opens. The facility's robotics and space science offerings will be housed in one dedicated location.
The takeaway
The Pezold Center represents a sizable local investment in STEM training that could shape workforce opportunities across the Chattahoochee Valley for years to come. Students and families interested in these programs can track progress as construction begins in 2027.
What happens next
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the center projected to open in fall 2028.
Further reading
Explore more on Financial Aid for related education funding context in Columbus.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtvm.
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