Georgia Northwestern Technical College Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ginger Mathis stops for a picture in front of the framework of the college’s newest campus set to open in Catoosa County in Fall 2016.
“Catoosa.” It’s a Cherokee word meaning, “between two hills.” It’s only fitting that from amongst the massive mounds of dirt visible this year along Catoosa County’s Highway 151 would arise the next step in the future of its growth.
Six months into the building phase of Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s newest campus, progress is easy to see. After clearing and leveling ton after ton of ground on the site of the future Catoosa County Campus of GNTC, workers are beginning to piece together the framework of the $12 million facility.
The 60,000-square foot construction is expected to open its doors to students in Fall 2016, just over a year away. Among the 14 programs currently slated to be taught in training future members of the Northwest Georgia workforce are Mechatronics, Electronics, Business Management, Health Care Specialties, Computer Information Systems and Logistics.
With nearly 70,000 residents, Catoosa County, Georgia will be the home of GNTC’s sixth campus in Northwest Georgia. Commercial properties are already seeing construction underway in adjacent properties.
“The county is working on the campus road from Highway 151 and it is nearing completion,” said GNTC Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ginger Mathis. “Retail development is going up in front of the new campus site this summer. The growth is right in front of our eyes and we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity the campus brings to the county.”
Sitting on 35 acres, the Catoosa County Campus has ample room for additional buildings in the near future. “I think this will help equip our workforce, not just for current needs, but future needs,” said Catoosa County Manager Mike Helton during the campus groundbreaking of the campus. “The college graduates will help us with future growth patterns and types of businesses we’d like to attract to our area. Workforce preparedness is a big draw for business.”
Dr. Mathis says community leaders are very excited about the debut of Georgia’s first state college in Catoosa County. “Comments have been very positive and we have witnessed excitement regarding the long-awaited campus,” said Dr. Mathis. “The property will allow for serious future growth of the campus in Catoosa County in the years to come. The potential outcome for the county, the college, and most of all, the people of the county is unlimited.”
With the unveiling of this new campus, college and county officials are hopeful that the economy will feel the impact for years to come. “We will be training local students for local careers,” said Dr. Mathis. “Plus, with the growth of industry and the advanced skill sets companies here at home need our workers to master, there are a lot of possibilities when it comes to the next decade at Georgia Northwestern in Catoosa County.”
A view from the skies over the future site of the Catoosa County Campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College shows just how much growth is taking place near the Highway 151 and Holcomb Road intersection of Ringgold.