Chester Center to Expand Operations by Moving to Former Duke Energy Office

July 19, 2007

CHESTER—Even before its new state-of-the-art Chester Center is built, York Technical College is taking advantage of an opportunity to expand its current operations in Chester by moving its Center to the former Duke Energy Office at 127 Saluda Street in downtown Chester.

Renovations are now underway at the facility and should be completed within a few weeks, in time for the start of the college's fall semester, which begins on August 20.

At 3,800 square feet, the Saluda Street building is significantly larger than the current Chester Center on York Street. It includes space for a large classroom that can accommodate 25 students, a computer lab/classroom for 15 students, a distance learning classroom, an assessment center, a library area with PCs for student use, and plenty of parking.

"The Saluda Street location will enable the college to provide Chester County residents with a wider range of learning opportunities and services," said Beth Blackwell, Chester Center director. As an example, Blackwell said that 10 additional credit classes have been added to the schedule for the fall semester utilizing the additional classroom space. The computer lab will make it possible for the Center to offer office systems technology and other computer-related courses. The college also plans to expand its Continuing Education course offerings in Chester, and the dedicated assessment center will provide more opportunities for students to complete tests for distance learning classes without having to drive to Rock Hill. The Center also plans to extend office hours after the move to the Saluda Street location.

The college will continue to use the distance learning room at the TruVista offices on York Street. The facility enables the college to deliver teleclasses from the campus and other locations to the Chester community.

"We have received positive feedback from students who have taken advantage of our teleclasses at the Chester Center," said Blackwell. "Our Instructors have been successful in their efforts to create an interactive class environment for their students."

"We are grateful to TruVista for their generosity and support over the years," said Dr. Greg Rutherford, president of York Technical College. "Their support, combined with York Tech's existing partnerships with the Chester County School District and the Chester County Career Center, will allow the college to expand its course offerings for the residents of the county as early as this fall."

"We appreciate the substantial support of the Chester County Council, Senator Linda Short and the legislative delegation in helping us better serve Chester County," Rutherford added. "We look forward to having the new Chester Center built by the fall of next year."

Earlier this year, York Technical College and Chester County unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art training laboratory that will help shape the future of new and existing industries within the Chester community. The new mechatronics lab, located within the Chester County Career Center, will enable Chester residents to take mechatronics-related courses on site rather than commuting to the Rock Hill campus. Courses will be offered in the evening beginning August 20 for adult learners. Credit for completed coursework may be applied toward an associate degree in Industrial Technology.

York Technical College ^. 452 S. Anderson Road ^. Rock Hill, SC 29730