Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) will hold a ribbon-cutting event on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at a new training facility in Patrick County. The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. at the college’s expansion site, located at 221 Wood Brother’s Drive in the former Food Lion Building.
Everyone is invited. Light refreshments will be served.
“This new facility is the result of years of partnerships and collaboration among entities who are seeking to enhance employment and economic opportunities for the citizens of Patrick County. Whether someone is looking for a transfer degree, a technical degree, or a short-term workforce training leading directly to employment, the person will have to look no further than PHCC’s expanded site in Patrick County,” said Greg Hodges, PHCC’s Vice President for Academic and Student Success Services. He also serves as Executive Director of the Patrick County Education Foundation.
The new space, which is situated directly across the street from the college’s current Patrick County facility, will enable the college to expand its offerings to Patrick County students. Plans for the expansion were largely guided by local business leaders and county officials, to ensure that the facility would offer precisely the career and industry-growing training opportunities the county needs.
The 5,000-square-foot expansion is the result of a four-way partnership between PHCC, the Town of Stuart, the PHCC Foundation, and the Patrick County Education Foundation. The new space will be equipped $300,000 worth of new mechatronics equipment, courtesy of a state grant. The renovation costs, the equipment, and the lease are all funded through grants and via private donations with the help of the Patrick County Education Foundation.
With the new space and equipment, the college will offer programs like Electrical Groundsman, Commercial Driver License, and Mechatronics. These programs are in high demand in Patrick County and require less time and money than a traditional degree.
For students who are seeking a traditional degree, the original Patrick County site will continue to offer many general education courses. In fact, a student could complete an entire general education associate degree without ever having to leave the county.