Albany Air Conditioning and Heating Company, Inc. Supports Albany Tech Foundation with Gift for New VECTR Center
Albany, GA – Albany Technical College hosted a check presentation ceremony on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Logistics Education Center (LEC) Board Room to recognizing a generous donation from Albany Air Conditioning and Heating Company, Inc. to the Albany Tech Foundation in support of the new Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center.
The contribution from Albany Air Conditioning and Heating Company, Inc. signifies a continued investment in the future of Southwest Georgia’s military veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Proceeds from the gift will directly support Phase I of Albany Tech’s VECTR Center, an 11,200-square-foot, one-stop regional hub designed to centralize services and educational pathways for military-affiliated students. The projected cost of Phase I is $1.7 million.
The VECTR Center’s mission is to provide dedicated resources and services that lead to successful transition or re-entry into Georgia’s technical colleges and universities, contributing to workforce growth and enriching regional communities.
Once completed, the center will unify support services including VA benefits assistance, financial aid, enrollment services, career counseling, academic advising, employer connections, and DoD SkillBridge training opportunities.
Albany Technical College President Dr. Emmett Griswold emphasized the significance of community partnership in advancing the VECTR initiative. “Our VECTR Center is a strategic investment in those who have given so much to our country,” said Dr. Griswold. “Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and real-world experience to our region. With the support of partners like Albany Air Conditioning and Heating Company, we are building a centralized space that removes barriers and connects veterans and their families to education, training, and career opportunities. Community support is essential to making this vision a reality.”
The VECTR model supports three critical pillars: military veterans, workforce development, and economic development, reinforcing Albany Tech’s broader goal of strengthening the regional talent pipeline and expanding opportunity across Southwest Georgia.
Matt Trice, Vice President for Economic Development at Albany Technical College, noted that the VECTR Center is both a moral commitment and an economic strategy. “This project is about honoring service, but it is also about strengthening our workforce,” said Trice. “When veterans transition successfully into high-demand, high-wage careers, our entire region benefits. The VECTR Center creates a unified support system that connects military-affiliated individuals to housing, healthcare resources, education, and employment pathways. Contributions like this ensure that veterans are not navigating that transition alone.”
The VECTR Center will also include a dedicated military-friendly gathering space, providing veterans and military-affiliated students with a safe and supportive environment to meet, study, and connect with peers who share similar experiences.
Albany Technical College continues to advance fundraising efforts for the VECTR Center through the Albany Tech Foundation. Without contributions from community partners and businesses, the college would not be able to provide the level of coordinated support veterans deserve as they transition back into civilian life. Their sacrifice demands more than gratitude; it requires action.
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