First glimpse of Cass County campus

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

Texarkana College unveiled its proposed plans for a workforce training facility in Cass County this past Friday.
TC will locate a dedicated training facility in Atlanta if Cass County voters pass a proposal to join the college’s taxing district during the Nov. 8 general election. The state-of-the-art facility will include certifications in professional truck driving school welding, cosmetology and licensed vocational nursing. 
Truck driving is a five-week certification course and the others are one-year programs.
“Imagine what a student’s future would look like if they could earn a college certificate in one year or less and enter the workforce making up to $60,000,” said TC President James Henry Russell. “This is what our students who have just completed our truck driving academy are doing right now. 
“I could give you a list of names of students who completed this program just a few weeks ago and have a brighter future than they did five weeks prior. That’s what we do. We are in the business of providing practical, affordable options for people to reach their career goals and earn better wages.”
The event included an artist rendering of the proposed site in Atlanta, which is at the intersection of Texas Highways 43 and 77 -- 101 E. Pinecrest Dr. The 22,000-square-foot facility allows room for expansion to increase programs and course offerings in the future. TC plans to investment between $2 million and $3 million in the current site.
If Cass County voters decide to join the TC district, students in the area, which includes Atlanta, Bloomburg, Linden-Kildare, McLeod and Queen City school districts, would begin to pay lower, in-district tuition rates for courses offered on all campuses, including high school dual-credit courses.  
Cost savings over two years for students could average close to $3,000.  
Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce President Miranda Johnson said having affordable education opportunities within a close proximity to county residents is a huge asset.
“Money and miles make a big difference to Cass County residents when it comes to having access to higher education options.”  Johnson said. 
“TC made a difference in my life by providing a great start to my college experience. I earned around 20 dual credit hours in high school and spent three semesters at TC before transferring to Texas A&M-Texarkana to earn my bachelor’s degree. TC is already an important part of our region and has served us well through the years, and this new opportunity for our community will bring economic stability, a prepared workforce for our businesses, and a brighter future for residents.”
Property owners within the district would be taxed at $0.110718 per $100 of appraised value. 
Approximately 75 Cass County residents and TC students and employees attended the unveiling ceremony.  Other speakers included Ronda Dozier, TC Dean of Workforce Education; Doug Saffel, TC Associate Professor of Government and History and Cass County resident and Faith Harper, a TC nursing student who also resides in Cass County.

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