West Georgia Technical College received a measure of assistance from Coweta County commissioners July 7 when the board agreed to provide equipment and labor to pave a new roadway to the campus off Turkey Creek Road and to consider future financial support if funds are available. The measure passed on a 3-2 vote.

College President Skip Sullivan and West Central Technical College Foundation Vice President Dawn Cook told commissioners the donation of 38 acres off Turkey Creek Road near I-85 is expected to be the home the new, full-service Coweta campus.

Cook and Sullivan said the foundation will cut and grade the road and asked commissioners to consider allowing the use of inmate labor to pave the new road once it has been cut, an effort expected to be completed in 18-24 months. Cook said the college anticipated the road to be approximately 1,700 feet in length.

During the discussion, Commissioner Rodney Brooks said it would be preferable to know the exact length of the road so that the cost to the county could be accurately determined. While not opposed to the county providing assistance, Brooks suggested that the college return once the engineering for the project is completed.

Also requested by the college was the future consideration of $100,000 in financial support of Adult Education in Coweta County. Commissioners suggested that such support might be feasible provided funds are available in the future. Sullivan told commissioners he expected construction at the campus to take two or more years, explaining that a commitment for the initial buildings has already been received.

Sullivan said the planned expansion would help accommodate the training needs of new businesses like Cancer Treatment Center of America and D&H Distributing. He said the college now has a contract with D&H to supply training for its employees.

The college is currently holding classes at the Central Eduction Center. The new campus is expected to serve up to 2,500 students and provide course work in technical education and adult education and help with employee training that will bolster the county’s economic development activities, Sullivan said.

The vote to provide the equipment and labor to pave the road and consider future financial support passed on a 3-2 vote, with Brooks and Commissioner Al Smith casting the opposing votes.

West Central Technical College became West Georgia Technical College on July 1. The college has five campuses and serves a 7-county area. Sullivan in a July 2 letter said the college offers more than 130 programs of study, includes one of Georgia’s largest GED preparation programs and provides corporate training and continuing education. The college is headquartered in LaGrange.

login to post comments