McKay Automotive Training Center

Total Duration: 2011 – 2017

Estimated Investment: $21.7 million

Impact: Created a state-of-the-art workforce training facility for high-demand careers in automotive technology and light diesel mechanics.

Public Benefit: Expanded job training access for residents of North Baton Rouge, supported a regional talent pipeline, and catalyzed the redevelopment of a former shopping center.

The McKay Automotive Training Center is a 42,000-square-foot workforce training facility operated by Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC), located at 2115 North Lobdell Boulevard in the heart of North Baton Rouge. Built on the site of the former Smiley Heights Shopping Center, the project transformed a blighted commercial property into a regional hub for automotive education and economic mobility.

The facility includes fully equipped auto and diesel technician bays, classrooms, conference areas, and specialized equipment for hands-on learning in high-demand trades. Build Baton Rouge (then operating as the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority) played a pivotal role in site control, pre-development coordination, and access to New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing, in partnership with the East Baton Rouge Community Development Entity (EBRCDE) and the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS).

The project honors the legacy of community leader Joyce McKay and aligns with the broader BRChoice and Ardendale revitalization efforts.

Project Objectives

Repurpose a blighted commercial site for educational and economic development use

Establish a workforce training center for high-demand, high-wage skilled trades

Increase access to technical education for residents of North Baton Rouge

Align training programs with employer needs and regional job growth

Leverage public-private financing tools, including NMTC

Catalyze future development in the Florida-Choctaw and Ardendale area

Our Role

Land Banking

We acquire, hold, and prepare vacant and tax-adjudicated properties for redevelopment that aligns with community priorities.

Learn More

Community Benefits

Beyond buildings and infrastructure, every BBR project aims to create lasting impact. These benefits reflect how the project improves lives, supports neighborhood growth, and contributes to Baton Rouge’s long-term vitality.

Benefits:

Provides training for automotive, light diesel, and collision repair careers
Directly connects residents to high-growth, high-skill employment pathways
Attracts partnerships with local dealerships and regional employers
Anchors additional BRCC growth and nearby redevelopment
Transformed a vacant shopping center into a community-serving asset
Honored the community legacy of Joyce McKay, for whom the center is named

Partners

No items found.

Conclusion

The McKay Automotive Training Center demonstrates how strategic land reuse, educational partnerships, and financial innovation can deliver lasting workforce and neighborhood transformation. With Build Baton Rouge’s leadership and EBRCDE’s NMTC support, this project now serves as a critical pipeline for skilled talent in Baton Rouge’s economy—and a symbol of what’s possible when reinvestment is driven by community purpose.