Global Leader Advantech Approved to Build North America Campus on South Orange County Community College District (ATEP) Site in Tustin
MISSION VIEJO, CA – During the regularly scheduled February 27th board meeting, the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a proposed ground lease with and site plan for Advantech— a global leader in industrial and embedded computing solutions.
Advantech is set to build its North America Campus on the district’s Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP) site to include: operation of a 6-story 108,942 square foot headquarters office building with floors 3-6 utilized for an approximately 74,396 square foot research and design (R&D) area related to computers and related components; and an additional 2-story 78,837 square foot warehouse facility that would be used for storage, light manufacturing, repairing, and packaging non-hazardous industrial computer related products. The Project also includes onsite parking lots, landscaping, and installation of infrastructure that would connect to the existing utilities in the adjacent roadways.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to welcome Advantech to the ATEP site, which advances the implementation of a long-term vision—to develop a dynamic education park with both academic and business partners that together, create a hub of workforce innovation for our students and the entire region,” said SOCCCD Board President, Timothy Jemal.
This approved project is part of a ten plus year land exchange agreement between SOCCCD and the City of Tustin that permits up to 1,087,970 square feet of education-oriented and (non-education) general office use building space. The construction of the Advantech campus will follow other new developments on the ATEP site which includes the Saddleback College @ ATEP project, and the Goddard School project that will be adjacent to the existing Irvine Valley College IDEA building.
“The decision to approve Advantech’s North America campus at ATEP is an exciting moment in SOCCCD history and is a long-awaited partnership for the Board of Trustees and leaders of Advantech. We believe that Advantech’s mission to enable an intelligent planet will inspire Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College students to infuse creativity, ingenuity, and innovation in all that they do to accomplish a shared goal in creating solutions for the future,” said SOCCCD Chancellor Julianna Barnes.
Ween Niu, General Manager of Advantech North America said, “Selecting a place for our North America campus entailed more than just locating a viable construction site. We wanted to find a location that would address the needs of our existing team members in terms of city amenities and services, while also finding a location that would be an exciting and inspiring attraction for new talent. Co-locating on SOCCCD’s ATEP campus in Tustin also means that we have a unique opportunity to cultivate new talent with community college students through an offering of internships, externships, mentoring, and even careers.”
The program is scheduled to break ground in the fall of 2023. Updates about the project will be available on the SOCCCD website.
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About South Orange County Community College District About the South Orange County Community College District: SOCCCD serves nearly 50,000 students per year through our two colleges, Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. The district serves nearly one million residents and employs more than 3,000 faculty and staff. To learn more, visit http://www.socccd.edu