A new state-of-the-art drone lab at Warren County Community College’s Phillipsburg Education Center now graces the names of Edward and Eileen Smith.

The drone lab, as well as a new droneport on WCCC’s main campus on Route 57 in Washington Township, also named in honor of the Smiths, is part of the College’s newest program. WCCC is the first college in the region to offer a comprehensive drone training program.

“I am so proud to see this come to fruition,” said Edward Smith. 

More and more businesses and other entities are utilizing drones for a variety of functions, from roofing projects, to photographing wedding and other social events, real estate photography, search and rescue, and even off-shore activities. Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), is a fast emergent technology that is clearly having a major impact in today’s world.  Drones are also used to locate victims of natural disasters, to track down fleeing criminals and poachers, as surveillance, on movie sets, by photographers, farmers, and resort and real estate marketing. 

New uses for drones are being discovered every day and WCCC is looking to become the regional training center for new pilots. The drone program was the dream of  current Warren County Freeholder Director – and former Chair of the WCCC Board of Trustees – Edward Smith.

“Ed was the inspiration for this program,” said Dr. Phil Linfante, the current Chair of the Board of Trustees. “He was very instrumental in bringing to the college the importance of drones and how they would make a difference now and in the future.”

“It’s Ed’s dream,” added College President Dr. Will Austin, a certified drone pilot. “With his guidance we have been able to put together one of the best drone labs in the country.”

“When Ed sees a need, he jumps right in to find a solution,” stated N.J. State Senator Michael Doherty. 

Freeholder Jason Sarnoski agreed. “Ed has come up with a lot of big ideas as a freeholder, but this is one of the biggest. He made this happen along with Dr. Austin.”

Smith has been anticipating the future of the burgeoning drone business for the past few years and relayed that to Dr. Austin.

“We are on the verge of a new industrial revolution,” said Smith. “Drones are going to change the way we do business. When traditional jobs go away due to drones we want to be in a position to get people the new drone-related jobs that will take the place of them. “

Smith noted that Warren County is in a opportune position for drone training as it is in a “unique air space in the metro area.” 

“We have the capability of being a cottage industry here because of the air space,” he said. “You can’t do this in places like Essex or Hudson counties. As a result, Warren County can be the drone mecca of the Northeast.”

In honor of Smith and his wife Eileen, who has supported her husband’s public service for many years, a permanent plaque was unveiled in Phillipsburg to commemorate the occasion and the lab. Among the many special guests also on hand were State Senator Steve Oroho, Dr. Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges, Warren Tech superintendent Ed Zalewski, and Executive County Superintendent for Sussex and Warren counties, Dr. Rosalie Lamonte.

For those in the public interested in learning more about the program, the Washington Business Improvement District on Sept. 13 is hosting a Lunch ‘N Learn on drones at the Warren County campus. Presented by Dr. Austin, there will be an overview and demonstration on how drones are now being used and how they can be of help to many businesses. That program starts at 11:45 a.m. The fee for that includes lunch. Advanced registration is recommended. For registration information on that program, visit washingtonbid.org. 

For more about the drone program and how you can become a certified pilot, go to warren.edu.

(Photo by Cathy Miller)