Anderson Oconee Pickens

Officials Break Ground on Future Site of Anderson Campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/5/2005
DR. RONNIE BOOTH, 646-1773
(By Lisa Garrett)

The vision for a campus convenient to the Anderson County community became a reality December 2 when college officials broke ground on the future site of the College's first branch campus.

Located on a 38.95-acre piece of property near the intersection of Standridge Road and Michelin Boulevard, the planned facility will be approximately 42,000 square feet and will include general classrooms for both credit and non-credit programs, computer and science labs, conference rooms, office space, kitchen facilities, and more. The classroom at the Anderson Mall will be relocated to the Anderson site. Future plans for the development of the property include three additional buildings and sports/recreation fields

"This is a big deal for Tri-County Technical College," said Dr. Ronnie L. Booth, president. "Our long-term plans are to make this a very special place for the Anderson community. Our plan is to be in the building by January 2007. It's aggressive but the way to do it."

The branch campus will serve several of the College's goals, said Dr. Mendel Stewart, chair of the College's Commission. "Many students travel great distances from the far reaches of Anderson County to attend the Pendleton campus. Bringing the College's services closer can better serve them, and they can take classes closer to home. Tri-County continues to grow, and we are nearing maximum capacity at the Pendleton campus (57 acres). Tri-County's presence in Anderson County will positively impact the community."

"We aren’t just looking ahead to the immediate future," added Dr. Booth. "The planning we do now supports our vision for the future of the College over the next several decades. Our strategy is to decentralize teaching and services to meet the five-year goal of an increase in enrollment to more than 7,200 students," he added.

"For many years, the District 5 area was stagnant," said Anderson County Councilman Michael Thompson. He sees that changing now that the College campus is moving into the district. "We have high expectations for this campus. It will reach out to a new group of students. I urge my constituents to take to heart what my father told me years ago, -- to get all the education you can. Start by attending classes on this new campus."

"Tri-County is a community college, and it is demonstrating that by coming to the community -- by reaching out to the people," said Congressman Gresham Barrett. "Tri-County and all of the technical colleges are lifting the boat and as we do, we lift the State and the people."

"Today is made possible by vision, and we commend Dr. Booth and the College Commission for providing that vision," said Steve Darby, chair of the Foundation Board. "It is also a day made possible by commitment -- the commitment of the Foundation Board to find alternative sources of funding for the purchase of this land and for the construction of the first building," he said. (Once the approval process began last year, the College Foundation Finance Committee voted to establish a limited liability corporation (LLC) to purchase, develop, and lease property to the College.)

"This new campus is a testament to Dr. Booth's and his staff's priorities of community involvement and the expansion of educational opportunities," added Steve. "We look forward to a year or so from now when a building sits where we are standing and the doors open wide -- a door of opportunity for so many."