MOUNT PLEASANT -- Choate Construction Co. of Mt. Pleasant recently completed Phase I construction of the Southeast’s premier manufacturing training center, the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, as part of a three-phased project for Florence Darlington Technical College.

Phase I of the SIMT, construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Center, broke ground in mid-April 2006 and was substantially complete by mid-July 2007. Florence Darlington Technical College hosted a dedication ceremony for the facility on Sept. 26.

The AMC boasts a variety of amenities to support training and development of manufacturing, including an 18,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing arena, 19 technical and computer training labs, 11 classrooms and an 800-seat auditorium. The facility also features flexible common areas for vendor trade shows and technology demonstrations.

The AMC is equipped with fiber optic, networking and computer hardware training labs, four breakout session rooms, an executive briefing center and a 1,000-square-foot data center.

Described by State Sen. Yancey McGill as the “single most important project for the region for the next 10 to 15 years,” the three-phased project is expected to serve as an economic development resource for the state.