Halifax Community College Receives $1.5
Million Grant from EDA
Halifax Community College has received official
notification from the Economic Development Administration that it has
been approved to receive a Financial Assistance Award for $1.5 million
for assistance in construction of the new Health Science
Education/Multi-Purpose Facility. Construction is slated to begin this
spring with completion scheduled for Fall Semester 2003.
The facility will house a new Dental Hygiene Program,
the Associate Degree Nursing Program, a proposed Practical Nursing
Program, and the Certified Nursing Assistant Program.
According to Ralph Reynolds, vice president of
administrative services, the additional funding from EDA will enable the
College to set up state-of-the-art training labs that utilize the latest
computer enhancements. "Students will be able to train on the best
equipment possible so that they will be prepared to enter the workforce
and feel confident about their skills."
Dr. Ted H. Gasper, Jr., president of the College,
expressed his gratitude to the EDA for the award and to the Upper
Coastal Plains Council of Governments for their support in the
application process. According to Dr. Gasper, " This award was
designed to help economically distressed areas of the country complete
construction projects that have the potential for creating and retaining
permanent jobs. The allied health programs that will be housed in this
facility will have a direct impact on this region’s job market."
As part of the project application process, the
College had to project the number of jobs that would be created or
retained as a result of the new programs being implemented. Evelyn
Kientz, dean of evening/weekend programs, prepared the grant proposal.
Kientz stated that area health care professionals provided critical
information in support of the proposal.
"Area dentists have given their total support to
implementation of a Dental Hygiene Program, and others in health care
provided survey responses that documented our need for registered
nurses, practical nurses, and nursing assistants," Kientz said. |
