Alachua's Santa Fe College center receives $1.67 million for expansion

Ten months ago the doors opened to the 18,000 sq. ft Santa Fe College’s Perry Center for Emerging Technologies in Alachua.  A second phase to the facility was completed earlier this year increasing the square feet to 23,000, with a third phase on the books pending funding.

And now, thanks to a $1.67 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to Santa Fe College, the Alachua campus will enjoy another growth spurt.

Due to the successful grant application, which was 14 months in the making, the third phase of the center’s expansion will occur seven years ahead of schedule.

The funds will finance the construction of a biotechnology laboratory and classroom addition.  The 6,000 sq. ft. addition consists of one dedicated program laboratory for biomedical engineering technology, one general purpose laboratory for general biology and chemistry, one large classroom, and general office space.

Construction is expected to start in December of this year, with completion anticipated by fall 2011.

According to Chuck Clemons, Vice President for Development at Santa Fe College, plans for a third phase of the center has always been on the drawing board, the need was there, it was just a matter of acquiring the funding.

The expansion from the center’s current 23,000 sq. ft. to 29,000 sq. ft. will allow the center to double the number of students currently enrolled.  “The biotechnology and health related program is in its second year and we are at capacity,” said Clemons.  “This expansion will allow us to more than double capacity of students educated and trained at the Alachua center.”

The expansion will also allow for the acceleration of some of the general learning capacity at the Alachua campus.

The EDA reports that the project is expected to create 270 jobs and generate $380 million in private investment.  These figures are based on ultimate job creation associated with the center’s graduates and needs expressed by the health industry.

“The Alachua community will benefit greatly by the additional capacity of Santa Fe College,” said Clemons.  “The ability to open our doors to 60 – 100 more students a year will pay handsome dividends to the community.”

The $1.67 million grant comes with a 3:1 match requirement, meaning that Santa Fe College will chip in an additional $556,667 toward the project.

“These early successes only affirm it was the right decision to create a new campus in Alachua. The way the community has embraced the college’s mission has far exceeded the college’s expectations,” said Clemons.