MT. VERNON, IL — Rend Lake College will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy at the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon this afternoon at 4. The event will also feature a program showcase from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The new Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy spans 20,000 square feet and includes advanced training in welding, machining, robotics, and more. Funded by a $5 million federal grant, it aims to bridge the skills gap and prepare workers for high-demand jobs. The academy also includes a unique chocolate production facility in partnership with the Culinary Arts program.