Henry Daily Herald

GRIFFIN — Students seeking careers in the medical and nursing arenas will soon have a new avenue on the southside to pursue their goals.

State officials recently signed a deal with leaders at Southern Crescent Technical College to construct a new classroom building. The estimated cost of construction for the project is $15 million, with an additional $2.5 million for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Radiologic technology and dental assisting programs will be the first to hold classes in the facility, said Steve Daniel, provost at the college.

“This project was 10 years in the making, and we are beyond thrilled to see this happening,” Daniel said. “We would like to thank the governor and the legislature for appropriating the funds for this project. The architectural firm of Lord, Aeck and Sargent is to be commended for the amazing design of the building.”

Daniel said the Georgia State Financing Investment Commission, Skanska USA Building Inc. and the Technical College System of Georgia have been instrumental in making the project “as seamless possible for the college.”

In July 2011, Skanska and GSFIC agreed to build an 80,000-square foot medical technology building on the college’s Griffin campus, according to a press release issued by the school. The building will house programs in dental assisting, medical assisting, orthopaedic technology, pharmacy technology, practical nursing, radiologic technology, respiratory care technology, surgical technology, emergency medical technician and paramedicine.

“Additionally, the building has 12 classrooms, two biology labs and a chemistry lab to support these allied health programs,” stated the release. “The second and third floors contain office suites that will house faculty and staff, along with an executive office for the academic dean responsible for the college’s medical related programs of study.”

The building is expected to be ready for classes in the spring semester of 2013.