Sinclair Community College recently dedicated its $5 million National Unmanned Aerial Systems Training and Certification Center. The center will provide students with access to 3-D advanced manufacturing, drone simulators, a wind tunnel and improved labs

Regional leaders said the renovated 28,000-square-foot building will have about 120 drones. Nearly 500 students will take classes in the facility during the first academic year.

The state provided about $4 million for the renovations. The college picked up the remaining $1 million.

Sinclair officials said it will give graduates an edge in the job market.

“Someday, UAS will have as much impact on people’s lives as PCs or cellphones,” said Robert Connelly, chairman of the Sinclair’s board of trustees.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International predicts the industry will create 2,700 jobs and have a $2.1 billion impact in Ohio by 2025.

“Wilbur Wright, one of the famous brothers from Dayton who invented manned aviation, said to be successful, begin life in Ohio,” said Brian Wynne, president of the drone association. “Today, Ohio and Dayton are again at the center of new generation of aviation: unmanned aircraft systems.”