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Ozarks Technical Community College secured additional funding for its Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

The Gene Haas Foundation made a six-figure donation in an undisclosed amount to the Plaster Manufacturing Center, according to a news release. It will fund the Gene Haas Foundation Precision Machining Lab, which will be the PMC’s high-bay space, a two-story area where large machinery can be installed and operated.

“We believe that manufacturing is the foundation of a prosperous community,” said Kathy Looman, director of education for the California-based foundation, in the release. “It is important for us to partner with schools and support their quest to become representations of advanced manufacturing.

"This assures that students are being trained in the latest technologies while attracting more young people to choose manufacturing as a career pathway that has amazing opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Precision machining technology will be among the training provided at the PMC, a $40 million project that's halfway through construction. Precision machining technology training involves shaping large materials into small parts and tools for specialized machinery, according to the release.

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Haas Automation Inc. founder and CEO Gene Haas to support community needs.

The foundation joins other donors to the PMC, including insurance provider American National, Larry and Donna Snyder and The Durham Co.