STOKES COUNTY—Leaders in a Piedmont Triad county say a brand new addition to their area is bringing better education opportunities to their backyard.
Stokes County VIPs cut the ribbon Thursday on Forsyth Tech's new campus in Walnut Cove.
"This is so exciting,” said student government president Cassie Faircloth. “We've been waiting for this for a long time. They have worked diligently the last two years on this building."
Stokes County didn’t have its own community college.
For the last several years, students in the area have been taking Forsyth Tech classes at temporary locations.
The new 20,000 square foot campus will also be home to Stokes Early College, giving high school students a head start on their future and giving graduates easier access to build theirs.
"It offers opportunities for many who many who may never realize the dream of higher education or a chance to better themselves to provide a better opportunity for their families,” said board of education chairwoman Sonya Cox.
Leaders say a well-educated workforce is what drives the economy, and they hope this new campus will bring more jobs to Stokes County.
"Their citizens need to have the opportunity for education that can lead to really good-paying jobs and careers, and the community college presence right here in Stokes County provides that,” said Forsyth Tech president Dr. Gary Green.
Practical nursing, certified nursing, IT and agriculture are some of the main programs offered here.
"Really practical, high-tech ways of teaching people how to go into healthcare, and that's so important for us in the future,” said Alan Proctor with the Forsyth Tech Board of Trustees.
"We have better equipment now,” Faircloth said. “In this building, it's state-of-the art technology and mind-blowing!"
Stokes County provided $6 million for construction of the new center.