(ANGOLA) – Trine University is getting funds to help them prepare people for the workforce.

Trine has received a $17.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its College and Community Collaboration initiative.

The grant will support efforts to help prepare students and adult learners for current and emerging in-demand job opportunities throughout the region. It will partially fund the development of a design and technical training center, an esports facility that serves both the campus and surrounding area, and a new community park, in addition to many other collaborative efforts to enhance the community.

Key components will focus on workforce and skills development and training, collaboration and innovation, community engagement and outreach, infrastructure development and improvement of aesthetics and connectivity, and collaborative university and community spaces and programming.

Projects include: The state-of-the-art John and Mary Pellegrino Design and Technical Training Center which will include cutting-edge resources to prepare students and community members for careers in engineering, manufacturing and technology; The Mark and Sarah Music/Ruoff Mortgage Esports Arena, opening in August, has transformed an auditorium classroom into a 5,600-square-foot state-of-the-art esports arena; and The Sheets Community Park will provide for inclusive recreational spaces that encourage physical activity and social engagement for individuals of all ages and abilities.

The grant also will support collaborative programming as well as the development of new green spaces, trails and recreation spaces that will better connect the university and the greater Angola community.