Southwestern Community College moved one step closer to realization of an SCC Macon Campus July 14 when the college’s board of trustees awarded a $5.8 million contract for construction of the proposed facility.

Low bidder Perry Bartsch Jr. Construction Company of Asheville received the contract on the 27,568-square-foot building and will begin construction within 45 days. The anticipated completion is August 2006, according to project manager George Stanley.

Funding for the new campus, to be situated on 20 acres on Siler Road off U.S. 441 North in Franklin, was secured with $2.9 million from state monies and $2.9 million in local dollars. Bowers, Ellis and Watson, an architectural firm in Asheville, designed the state-of-the-art facility.

Bartsch also received the bid on the Macon County Library, which will be located next to the new SCC center. Because of the collaborative relationship that will exist between the library and the college (the library will also serve as the college’s library in Macon County), designs for the two buildings were created to compliment each other.

“The SCC Macon Campus represents the beginning of a joint venture between SCC and Macon County,” SCC president Cecil Groves stated after the bid was awarded. “We have worked closely with the Commissioners and other interested individuals and groups in Macon County to provide a campus on which residents of the county could earn a college education close to home. We want people in Macon County to feel this is their college. The new campus will provide them with all the learning processes they and their kids will need for the future and we appreciate the commissioners for making this possible.”

The Macon Campus will house curriculums in criminal justice, early childhood, business administration, college transfer, real estate, and a pre-health science track. In addition, a learning assistance center will be located in the building and there will be strong continuing education offerings.

“We’re doing something very different here. This campus will truly be a higher education center through which we will also eventually align with other colleges and universities to offer classes on our site.” Groves said. “Someday we believe Macon County residents will be able to earn not only a two year associate degree in their home county, they will also be able to earn a four year degree. If you’re serious about education, this is where you will go. If you want to be prepared for the future, this is where you’ll go. If you want to work with the latest technology, with the best learning tools this is where you’ll go. If you want to teach in the finest facilities, this is where you’ll teach.”

Groves went on to say that the SCC Macon Campus represents the beginning of the realization of a larger dream SCC and Macon County envision that includes an educational/learning/recreational complex for the people of Macon County.

“We are fortunate to have this land to develop together in Macon County. It’s a beautiful piece of property with 70 acres of buildable land on which the college can eventually expand with sites for five other buildings. It is interesting to note that most areas are developed by chance but we have the opportunity here to develop a whole concept and what an exciting concept it is. In addition to our Macon Campus and the library, the county recreation park and the Macon County Greenway are nearby. With little effort, the SCC Macon Campus, the library, the recreation park and the river walk can be linked and can compliment each other. Also, there is potential for commercial ventures nearby that would enhance greatly both the economic and educational potential for the site,” he said.

According to Groves, SCC representatives, Macon county representatives, and private individuals are seeking ways to bring creative and capital resources together toward this shared vision.

“The people of Macon County are wonderful to work with,” he said. “They are as excited as we are about the potential before us.”