Ground broken for health science center

By Faye Ellison
The News & Farmer Staff Writer

With several ceremonial shovels of dirt a host of Jefferson County dignitaries help push forward a move for education in Jefferson County that has been two years in the making.

Sandersville Technical College along with many local leaders gathered Wednesday, Sept. 5, for the groundbreaking of their new Health and Sciences building located on the tech school’s Jefferson County campus.

Area dignitaries break ground for the new health science center to be built
on the Jefferson County Sandersville Technical College campus.

The joint effort between STC and the Jefferson County Commissioners was recognized at Wednesday’s ceremony. Both STC and the county also recognized the Jefferson County Board of Education and Jefferson County High School’s efforts in making the building a reality.

“Congratulations to Jefferson County,” Dr. Lloyd Horadan said Wednesday to those gathered. “I’ve never had the privilege to work with better partners than what I’ve encountered here in Jefferson County. Everyone has set aside all differences to have one common vision here, the development of the workforce.”

Dr. Horadan said the assistance of Anne Floyd of the CSRA Regional Development Center, Board of Education and Board of Commissioners made the wise for a new building at STC come true.

“When you talk about working with great partners, nothing is greater than working with the Principal of the Year for the nation,” Dr. Horadan said. “This is representative of the quality of leadership and partnership that Sandersville Technical College has in Jefferson County.”

New space will be used to expand the practical nursing program at the Jefferson County campus and will allow STC to offer a medical assisting program, as well as a place for meetings and events, according to STC Jefferson County Director Matt Hodges.

The center will house a nursing lab and adjoining classroom, two other classrooms and two faculty offices within approximately 3,900 square feet, on a plot of the 18 acres that the Board of Education donated to the tech school.

The total cost of the project is estimates at $651,280, including $540,280 for the building construction. Engineering costs are expected to run $30,000, with reimbursables to run between $5,000 and $7,000. Equipment and furnishings will cost $50,000.

A Community Development Block Grant will provide $500,000 towards the project, covering the majority of construction costs and architectural fees. The CSRA RDC will charge $24,000 to administer the grant.

Jefferson County will provide a $10,000 cash match as well as site work, including utilities to the site, building and storm water monitoring totaling $34,000.

STC will supply office furniture and computer systems, an alarm system and medical equipment for approximately $50,000.

The county is currently requesting federal funding to pay the remaining balance, but if federal aid is unavailable, the county and the school board will split the remaining costs.

J.W. Spratlin and Ben Carter of Carter Watkins Associates Architects will construct the new center.

“There were a number of people who were instrumental in obtaining the grant and tenacious in their efforts despite many obstacles,” Dr. Horadan said.

“Matt Hodges, Center Director for Jefferson County, was never ceasing in his passion for the building an in pushing the vision forward. The current facility in Jefferson County hosts over 140 students a quarter currently. I am sure that under Matt’s leadership and with the excellent faculty and staff at the Center we can double that number with this new building. I would like to personally thank Matt and his staff for their dedication to seeing this project through to fruition. The building will be very important to the mission of Sandersville Technical College and to the citizens of Jefferson County.”

(2007, September 13). The News and Farmer, p6A.