HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) — A Saline County community college has broken ground on a simulated mine facility that will be used for education and competitions.

Southeastern Illinois College received $220,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development to build the 12,000-square-foot facility. More than 1,000 miners go through the college’s training programs each year. Rescue teams will use the center to practice responding to emergency situations.