MATC converts downtown campus space into biotech lab

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Milwaukee Area Technical College announced the opening of a new biotechnology lab and classroom at its downtown Milwaukee campus.

The 2,000-square-foot lab and classroom were developed with the support of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, which introduced a nearly $50 million federal grant.

“The program is designed to equip students to pursue careers in the biotechnology industry,” said Abigail Cannon, director of the biohealth career pathway for MATC’s STEM Academic and Career Pathway, in a statement. “Biotechnology laboratory technicians have been identified as an employment area with a large gap between need and the trained workforce. The biohealth training pathways will help remove barriers that will attract young adults, workers from other industries and employees looking to upskill their credentials.”

After MATC remodeled its downtown campus, students are now able to enroll in the first Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program for the spring 2026 semester, which starts Jan. 20, college officials said.

In July 2024, Wisconsin was designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as a biohealth tech hub. In addition to the $49 million federal grant, the state contributed $7.5 million and industry partners gave $24 million to the effort. That year, MATC said it would work with partners to recruit and train 2,000 workers within five years.

Students will study theory and receive hands-on training and learn techniques for drug development, molecular biology, genetics, bioprocessing and more, with technical skills for laboratory and industrial settings, officials said.

In July 2025, the state announced it would advance $7.5 million in matching funds for several biohealth related projects across Wisconsin, including the MATC project and workforce development in Madison. The tech hub also supported advanced manufacturing in Waukesha, where GE HealthCare expanded its engineering product development.