Groundbreaking Ceremony for TCL’s Workforce Training Center in Bluffton Honoring Retired U.S. Army General
Bluffton, South Carolina:
On April 26, a groundbreaking ceremony for the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) will begin, marking the initiation of construction for the 50,000-square-feet facility on the New River Campus in Bluffton.
What to Expect
The center will provide students with training in fields such as construction, computers, business and entrepreneurship, logistics, and more. In addition to hosting up to 850 students, the facility will offer certification opportunities in forklift operations and HVAC training, among other areas. The total cost of this enterprise, including construction and start-up operations, is an estimated $26 million.
Honoring a Pillar of Support
The new building is named in honor of retired U.S. Army Gen. Arthur E. Brown, a staunch supporter of TCL. His vast contributions include serving as the college’s founding chair and on the TCL’s Area Commission for 23 years. The Area Commission, whose members are appointed by the South Carolina Governor, governs the college.
Fits the Lowcountry Way
Courses offered align with the interests of the Chamber of Commerce and local economic development organizations. Their target is attraction of “key sectors” to the area. These sectors, as revealed by the Beaufort County Economic Development Corp, include aerospace and defense, light manufacturing and distribution, headquarters and back office, green and alternative energies, cybersecurity, among others.
Funding and Future Expectations
The construction and start-up costs will be catered for by “both local and state dollars”, reports Mary Lee Carns, Vice President for Advancement. The timeline for the center’s opening hasn’t been announced yet but construction is expected to take about three to four years.
Impact on Local Economy
John O’Toole, executive director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, touched on the importance of such a facility, stating that it will not only create a more diversified local economy, but also facilitate the growth of sectors that fit well into the Lowcountry lifestyle, offering higher wages. “I will be able to say that we have a workforce that is trained and ready to go, which is such an important component of economic development”, O’Toole noted.
HERE News will continue to follow the development of this remarkable project in Bluffton and update on its progress and impact it brings to the local economy and workforce.
