ACC Expands Skilled Trades Training with $130.5M Campus Purchase in Southeast Travis County Near Del Valle
For families, students, and employers in Southeast Travis County, a long-promised expansion of workforce education is now taking tangible shape—much sooner than expected.
Austin Community College District (ACC) has officially purchased a 560,000-square-foot building complex near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, marking a significant step toward expanding skilled trades and applied technology training in the rapidly growing Del Valle area. The $130.5 million acquisition, funded through the 2022 General Obligation Bond, is expected to accelerate access to career-focused education while strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.
More than just a real estate transaction, the move signals a shift in how quickly local residents can connect to in-demand careers—and how Southeast Travis County continues to evolve as a hub for growth, opportunity, and economic mobility.
Faster Access to Skilled Trades Training in Southeast Travis County
Instead of building a new campus from the ground up, ACC’s decision to repurpose an existing facility is expected to cut years off the development timeline—bringing classrooms and training labs online within one to three years.
“Our decision to acquire and repurpose an existing facility not only saves us more than $100 million, it also enables us to begin serving current and future students districtwide — including those in Southeast Travis and Del Valle, where interest is high, and industry has experienced substantial growth — years earlier than projected,” said Sean Hassan, ACC Board of Trustees Chair.
For residents searching for skilled trades training or career programs in Travis County, the accelerated timeline means earlier access to certifications, hands-on learning, and job-ready skills in industries that are actively hiring.
What the New ACC Campus Will Offer
Once fully developed, the new Southeast Travis County campus will become the permanent home of ACC’s Infrastructure Academy and one of the region’s largest hubs for workforce training.
Programs are expected to include:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Building construction technology
- Automotive technology
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC)
- Welding and skilled trades
The campus will also feature specialized labs, flexible learning spaces, and industry partnerships designed to align directly with Central Texas workforce needs.
“This is about more than a building. It is about expanding what is possible for our students and our community. It allows us to move faster, open more doors, and connect people to real opportunity as our region continues to grow,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “We are not just creating space. We are building for what’s next. We will do it the right way, by planning with the people we serve and building something that reflects their future.”
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Why This Matters for Del Valle ISD Families and Local Residents
Located within Del Valle Independent School District and near major transportation corridors, the new campus is positioned to serve students who have historically faced longer commutes to access higher education and workforce training.
For local families, this means:
- Shorter travel times to career education programs
- More accessible pathways to high-paying, in-demand jobs
- Stronger connections between local schools and workforce opportunities
- Increased property and economic stability as infrastructure and education investments grow
The first phase alone is expected to serve up to 3,000 students, with room to expand as demand increases.
A Strategic Investment in Austin’s Workforce Growth
As Central Texas continues to experience rapid population and industry growth, the demand for skilled workers in construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technical trades continues to rise.
By investing in workforce training near key employment centers—including Austin’s airport and surrounding industrial zones—ACC is helping build a local talent pipeline that supports both residents and regional employers.
The campus is also designed with accessibility in mind, offering proximity to public transportation, ample parking, and space for comprehensive student support services.
What Happens Next
Planning and programming for the new facility are now underway, with a groundbreaking expected in the coming months. As renovations progress, ACC leaders say community input and industry partnerships will play a central role in shaping the campus.
As Southeast Travis County continues to grow, projects like this reflect a broader commitment to ensuring that growth translates into opportunity—especially for the families and students who call the area home.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.