CSCC and TRDA Hold Ribbon Cutting for new Monroe County Center

Holly Vincent
Friday, November 25, 2016 9:22 AM
Community, All

Cleveland State Community College and the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency (TRDA) Foundation recently held a ribbon cutting at CSCC’s new Monroe County Center to signify the official donation of the property from the TRDA to the CSCC Foundation.
“Cleveland State is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year—50 years of serving the five county area that always included Monroe County,” stated Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC President. “We had a place here before, but I’m so happy that we are back. We are not renters; we are land owners now, and we are here to stay to serve this community.”
According to Seymour, the Cleveland State 2020 Community First Plan envisioned the development of an industrial training center in Vonore, and this property will enable the college to quickly implement both credit and non-credit programs that will support industry in the area and have a significant impact on employment and economic development.
Ron Hammontree, Executive Director of the TRDA, stated, “We wouldn’t be here today without CSCC. I can assure you that Dr. Seymour is committed to Monroe County, and I’m certainly proud to see that. He and his great staff have worked hard to put together.”
Seymour asked Susan Webb-Curtis, Dean of Business and Technology, and Patty Weaver, Director of the Off-Campus Sites, to speak during the ribbon cutting.
Webb-Curtis took that time to thank the members of the Business and Technology Advisory Council who were at the ribbon cutting and give an update on the division.
“We have been listening to you in terms of what training is needed and what equipment needs to be purchased, so we are letting you guide us,” stated Webb-Curtis. “I want to thank those of you who have written support letters for the grants or who have served on the council. We are updating all of our technology curriculum program; we have a new mechatronics program we are going to be rolling out, we are redoing our Drafting and Design and our Electronics and Electrical Engineering programs. A lot of those are going to be offered at this facility, so we are really excited.”
Weaver concluded the ceremony by saying, “I taught in our schools here, and I think it’s very important to provide our students with opportunities and awareness of what’s available here in the park, so we are excited that these grants will reach into the high schools and provide pathways.”