Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 12, 1990 TAG: 9005120241
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE:
DATELINE: ATKINS LENGTH: Short
Hugh Jones, executive director of the Smyth County Chamber of Commerce, said construction could be complete before the end of the year if the weather cooperates.
Del. G.C. Jennings, D-Marion, has notified the chamber that a $150,000 allocation in state funds for the center has gotten conference committee approval as part of the budget bill. Jones said that would allow completion of the center rather than "just a shell building as previously planned."
More than $156,000 - including $25,000 from the state - had already been raised for the project by contributions in the area from industries, businesses and individuals in a drive spearheaded by the chamber.
Ground was broken for the center Dec. 20, but people had been working for it for about five years before that.
As an extension of Wytheville Community College, it will provide regular day and evening classes and can also serve as a training center for Smyth County business and industrial workers.
Plans call for adding four-year college and university classes at the center, as well as developmental education including literacy classes for adults and noncredit self-help courses.
- Southwest bureau
by CNB