Punta Gorda, FL – March 11, 2025 – Charlotte Technical College (CTC) is making steady progress on its new Aviation Training Facility, a state-of-the-art center that will provide hands-on education for future aviation maintenance professionals. Located within the PGD Aviation Expansion Area (PGD AviEx) at Punta Gorda Airport, this facility is a key component in strengthening Charlotte County’s aviation workforce pipeline. With all necessary permits secured by the Charlotte County Airport Authority, construction is advancing efficiently. The foundation has been poured, and contractors are currently completing underground rough-in. Sitework is ongoing, and the slab for the next phase of construction is scheduled to be poured within the next week. This milestone builds upon the successful groundbreaking event in December 2024, where local leaders, educators, and industry partners gathered to celebrate the facility’s impact on workforce development. The 19,420-square-foot building will include a 10,000-square-foot hangar, modern classrooms, and advanced labs, offering students the opportunity to train with industry-standard equipment and expert instruction. “This facility represents a tremendous investment in our students and community,” said Cindy Gulsby, Director of Charlotte Technical College. “The continued progress is an exciting step toward preparing the next generation of aviation professionals right here in Charlotte County.” Construction, led by Stellar Development, Inc., remains on schedule for completion by December 2025, bringing expanded educational opportunities and high-demand aviation careers to the region. For more information about the CTC Aviation Program, visit propellingfuturesatctc.com or yourcharlotteschool.net/ctc.

The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students. Click here to read full article!

Punta Gorda, FL – December 12, 2024 – Charlotte Technical College (CTC), in partnership with the Charlotte County Airport Authority, Stellar Development, Inc., and key community stakeholders, celebrated a monumental milestone with the groundbreaking of its highly anticipated Aviation Training Facility on December 11. This state-of-the-art facility is a pivotal step in bolstering aviation workforce development in Charlotte County and beyond. Situated near the PGD Air Center within the Aviation Expansion Area (PGD AviEx), the facility will provide comprehensive hands-on training in Aviation Maintenance Technology, preparing students for careers as certified Aviation Maintenance General Technicians and Aviation Power Plant Maintenance Technicians. The 19,420-square-foot building will feature a 10,000-square-foot hangar, classrooms, labs, and modern amenities, supported by $5.75 million in state funding secured during the 2022-2024 legislative sessions. “This facility is a testament to the power of partnerships and shared vision,” said Cindy Gulsby, Director of Charlotte Technical College. “By working with the Airport Authority, Charlotte County Public Schools, and local businesses, we’re creating unique opportunities for students to gain expertise with industry-standard equipment and instruction.” The aviation program was first launched in 2018 through a $1.7 million grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Its success has been a collaborative effort between the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, the Airport Authority, and the School Board. "What began as a limited capacity facility, has grown into a long-term commitment to aviation workforce development, attracting high-skill, high-wage jobs to Charlotte County," said Kim Amontree, a member of the Charlotte County School Board. James Parish, CEO of the Punta Gorda Airport, highlighted the program’s transformative potential: “This initiative not only enhances our regional workforce but positions PGD as a hub for aviation excellence, attracting airlines, MROs, and other related industries.” Under the leadership of Mark Vianello, Superintendent of Charlotte County Public Schools, the program’s reach has expanded to include middle and high school feeder programs, creating a pipeline for students to enter post-graduate pathways in aviation. Vianello emphasized, “It’s about more than state-of-the-art spaces; it’s about changing lives and preparing students for a future in a rapidly evolving industry.” Recognizing the critical support from Senator Ben Albritton, Representative Michael Grant, and Representative Spencer Roach, the success of this project is a testament to their dedication to education and workforce development in Southwest Florida. Construction partner Stellar Development, Inc. has projected completing the project by December 2025, ushering in a new era of technical education and workforce development in Southwest Florida. For more information about the CTC Aviation Program, visit propellingfuturesatctc.com or yourcharlotteschool.net/ctc .

The Charlotte Community Foundation (CCF) presented the Charlotte Local Education Foundation (CLEF) with a $25,000 check for the Propelling Futures campaign, which will build a hangar at Punta Gorda Airport with expanded classroom space for aviation education, from CCF funding earmarked for that purpose. CLEF Board Chair Douglas Tucker, CLEF Executive Director Daniel Washington, CCF Board member & long-time CCPS educator Deelynn Bennett, CCF CEO Shelley Strickland, and Superintendent Mark Vianello discussed ways to enhance collaboration and partnerships, particularly around scholarship support for local students pursuing post-secondary training, certification and education at all levels. “The Charlotte Community Foundation wants to support the Charlotte County Public Schools’ efforts to expand aerospace education, as the aviation industry is a critical economic driver for the County we serve,” noted Dr. Strickland.

Pictured Left to Right: Larry McClure, President of EAA Chapter 565, Cynthia Gulsby, Director at Charlotte Technical College and Amanda Fox, Aviation Maintenance Specialist