Jefferson State Growing with Pell City

Birmingham, Alabama… Jefferson State Community College officially announced plans today for building a new college facility in Pell City, just north of interstate 20.

“Support for the project has been exceptional,” said Jefferson State President Judy Merritt. “From the very beginning, the community, Mayor (Guin) Robinson, the city council, the commissioners, the economic development council, elected officials – everyone – has made us feel that we are needed in this area.”

Construction for the 43,000 square foot multi-level classroom building is planned to begin in April and open for instruction by fall 2006. The college plans to offer a broad range of courses to meet the needs of the community.

“With the enthusiasm from citizens and the great cooperation from officials, there is no doubt this expansion will be successful,” said Jefferson State Vice President Joe Morris. “The growth in Pell City and the entire St. Clair County has encouraged this move and we are now ready to take the next step.”

Initial enrollment estimates for the new Pell City facility are expected to be between 500 and 600 students. The building will be constructed with the potential to support 1500 students.

Jefferson State has already experienced significant growth in the county with its St. Clair Center in Moody and with the classes taught at Pell City High School. The St. Clair Center opened with about 180 students and currently supports 275. Today, about 80 Jefferson State students receive instruction in the inaugural semester at the high school.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s a 12,” said Ed Gardner, the Executive Director for the St. Clair County Economic Development Council. “There is no way to rate this. It does so many things for this city.”

Instrumental in helping this expansion were Pell City Mayor Guin Robinson, Executive Director for the St. Clair County Economic Development Council Ed Gardner, Circuit Court St. Clair County Judge William Hereford, Postsecondary Chancellor Dr. Roy Johnson, Jefferson State President Judy Merritt, Jefferson State Vice President Joe Morris, St. Clair County Commissioner Stan Batemon, Senator Del Marsh, Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins, Mayor-elect of Pell City Adam Stocks, Representative Jim McClendon, Representative Randy Wood, State Board Vice President David Byers, State Board Member Stephanie Bell, State Board Member Ethel Hall and entire State Board of Education, Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, and Senator Jack Biddle.