Columbia State Community College took the next major step in constructing its new Southern Regional Technology Center, a project aimed to become a cornerstone for the region’s future economic growth and workforce development.
The approximately $50 million SRTC project was celebrated Wednesday with a groundbreaking ceremony, which in addition to Columbia State staff was attended by several Columbia and Maury County leaders.
“Today, we had the chance to shovel dirt for the beginning of a building that will help educate and train the workforce of the future,” Mayor Chaz Molder posted to social media Wednesday afternoon. “There’s a lot of things I love about this building and its potential for the college, our community and our region.
“I’m proud the [City of Columbia] could be a partner in this venture, among many partners, and we stand by the college, the state’s first community college, today, and all days ahead.”
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In September of 2022, Columbia approved a $100,000 appropriation for the new facility, while also committing to an annual $25,000 allotment over the next four years.
The SRTC project was made possible through partnerships between Columbia State and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campuses at Hohenwald and Pulaski. The SRTC is also the college’s first building to be approved in more than 20 years.
Previously described by Columbia State President Dr. Janet F. Smith as a state-of-the art facility, the building will serve as a center-point in providing the latest training in industry and healthcare fields with an emphasis on business partnerships, offering students internship, apprenticeships and job placement opportunities.
The 88,000 square-foot building, estimated at $50 million, will house programs that will provide graduating students an associate degree of applied science and technical certifications in advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, CNC machining training, industrial maintenance, fire science, EMS, nursing, radiology, medical lab technology, engineering systems technology, respiration care technology, health informatics and veterinary technology.
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Outgoing Maury County Commission Chair Eric Previti also shared to social media the county’s continued dedication in pushing the project forward.
“The Maury County Commission two commissions ago was one of the first believers and sponsors of this project,” Previti wrote. “We donated $80,000 a year for five years totaling a $400,000 County contribution to seeing this facility be built. Today was the groundbreaking and fruition of that. Hats off to the past County Commission members, who made all this happen.”
The SRTC is expected to open for students in the fall of 2027. Once completed, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a regional hub for both citizens and employers, offering the latest industry and healthcare training.
“The SRTC is a very special project, and it is one that is needed by our community,” Columbia State President Dr. Janet Smith said. “It is needed by our industrial partners, and most importantly, it is needed by the current and future students who will receive training that provides a career, a livelihood and an opportunity for continued growth. We can’t get better than that. The dirt we move today is a celebration of partnerships, celebration of opportunity and the commitment of three colleges to educational opportunities and its state-of-the-art facility for students and community success.”
The SRTC will emphasize partnerships through internships, apprenticeships, program development and job placement. Educational offerings include diplomas, technical certificates and associate of applied science degrees.
The SRTC’s programs will include areas such as:
- Medical laboratory technology
- Nursing
- Radiologic technology
- Respiratory care
- Medical informatics
- Engineering systems technology (not including mechatronics and robotics)
- Veterinary Technology
- Practical Nursing (LPN)
- Automotive technology
- HAC
- Welding
Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.