Wednesday, April 24, 2002
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Wednesday, April 24, 2002 |
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Many dreamed, now day is here for local college classes Since the Chamber of Commerce first broached the idea in the early 1980s we have flirted with, and tried often, to find a permanent home for post-secondary education in Fayette County. Through stops and starts leaders of our county have tried to find the right combination of private and public support to lure the credit and noncredit courses that a community of our stature and size deserves. In early March, Virgil Christian of the Development Authority of Peachtree City phoned to tell me that there would be a small extra office suite in the new tennis center, and his board wanted to find a beneficial use. Last year the Fayette County Development Authority Board of Directors made the location of such a center a top priority, going as far as committing seed money if a space was found. With lighting speed both boards coordinated with Clayton College & State University to find common ground for a short-term lease on the 3,500 square feet. With the ink barely dry we presented the idea to the Peachtree City Council during their retreat and with vision they placed the item on their next agenda. Working together, the issues were addressed and action was taken and in the fall of this year local residents will have their long-awaited University Center. The Development Authority of Peachtree City will offer the office suite, the Fayette County Development Authority will pay for build-out, the Peachtree City Council will purchase furniture, Newnan Utilities will "smart-wire" the building, the Chamber of Commerce will help recruit corporate donors and Clayton College & State University will operate and offer the classes! The small Center is only Phase I, but it will allow the University to grow local enrollment and course loads. Expect certificate courses like computer training and managerial classes for supervisors and leaders. In the future you will find health care and credit courses as well as a host of virtual classes, all waiting on you at the Center. There will also be an SBDC Small Business Resource Center on site for entrepreneur and small business development, consultations and workshops. In a few years, Phase II will hopefully find us in a larger, dynamic stand-alone facility. The full service University Center is limited only by our imagination and wanting. We'll be able to host MBA programs from one college and an undergraduate nursing program from another. Picture a community center with classes offered by a variety of post-secondary institutions and you'll see that the possibilities are unlimited. It is truly amazing what a community can accomplish when it has the vision and determination to try new things to solve old problems. Chris Clark President/CEO Fayette County Development Authority
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