Athens Technical College President Dr. Andrea Daniel (center) is joined by representatives from the college and Carroll Daniel Construction at the beginning of demolition of Building S (previously Compass Church) on the Athens campus. Construction will soon begin on an Industrial Systems Technology building in its place, set for completion at the end of 2022.

Athens Technical College (ATC) will soon begin construction on a new Industrial Systems Technology building following completion of demolition of Building S (previously Compass Church) that has begun on the main campus at the intersection of Hwy. 29 North and Calhoun Drive.  

The 45,000-square-foot space will provide additional classrooms and instructional laboratories for air conditioning technology, industrial systems technology and mechatronics programs. 

Maintenance technician and manufacturing associate are identified as high demand careers in Georgia. There are currently over 40 established companies seeking ATC graduates from these programs in the Athens area. 

The new facility will also be home to the Economic Development programs, which deliver customized business and workforce readiness classes. 

The $13.1 million construction project was funded in the fiscal year 2022 budget signed into law on Monday, May 10 by Gov. Brian P. Kemp. The overall budget for the project is 17.2 million dollars which included design and demolition funding in the state 2021 budget.

President Andrea Daniel expressed her appreciation to Governor Kemp and the Athens area members of the Georgia General Assembly for their support of Athens Technical College. In addition to Governor Kemp, Representatives Houston Gaines, Tom McCall, and Marcus Widower, as well as Senator Frank Ginn, assisted with the project. 

“We are excited for the opportunity to expand our learning space and give students room to train with the latest industry equipment,” Daniel said. “It wouldn’t be possible without the support from Governor Kemp and our local legislators. This is a giant leap forward in preparing our students for a variety of in-demand jobs, and it will help us expand our commitment to continuing education.” 

The architect for the project is Jericho Design Group of Cumming, Georgia, and the project manager is Carroll Daniel Construction of Gainesville, Georgia. Expected completion for the facility is December 2022.