Stormy Weather Approaches Greenwood as Piedmont Technical College Secures $11 Million Grant for Health Care Expansion

Stormy Weather on the Horizon in Greenwood

Good morning, Greenwood! It looks like we have quite a day ahead of us with some tumultuous weather moving in. According to the latest weather updates, tropical storm conditions are possible throughout the region. So, if you plan on heading out this morning, make sure to grab your umbrella!

What’s Happening with the Weather?

This morning, residents can expect showers and a few thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds. Temperatures are likely to feel pretty warm with a high of around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, don’t be fooled by that warmth—strong winds will be sweeping through the area, with speeds ranging from 35 to 50 mph before tapering off to 15 to 25 mph later in the day. And the chance of rain? Well, that’s sitting at a whopping 100%!

As the day progresses, it’s expected that we’ll see cloudy skies settling over Greenwood, so maybe a cozy day indoors wouldn’t be too bad after all. For those who dare to venture outside, the evening promises to provide mostly clear skies with temperatures dropping to a comfortable 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Light winds will shift from the south at about 5 to 10 mph.

Piedmont Technical College Receives a Major Boost

$11 million grant from the Economic Development Administration, a significant investment that will allow the college to expand its offerings, particularly in its 12 health care programs.

This generous grant is just what the college needs to stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of health care. With it, Piedmont Tech plans to construct a brand new health science facility on their Greenwood campus. This will not only enhance the learning environment but also support students by providing training in state-of-the-art settings. The new facility is set to be 27,000 square feet large and will include various cutting-edge features such as multiple nursing simulation spaces, echo simulation labs, cath labs, and dedicated classrooms for collaboration.

A Commitment to the Community

Russell Martin, the assistant vice president of marketing and public relations at Piedmont Tech, has highlighted the vital role the college plays in supplying a skilled workforce to local health care facilities. Addressing the importance of creating spaces that mimic real-world conditions, Martin said, “A key priority of this project is to create spaces that mirror real-world conditions, preparing our students to be work-ready upon graduation.”

In addition to the federal funding, the college will also receive $2.8 million in local funding, demonstrating strong community support for educational advancements in health care. They are working closely with a construction manager from the EDA to develop a timeline for when the project will kick off and how long it will take to complete. More specific details on the project are expected to emerge in the coming two months.

Piedmont Tech’s president, Hope Rivers, expressed great gratitude for this funding, stating, “We are immensely grateful for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s $11 million investment in our new health sciences building. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to ensure this investment helps grow a strong healthcare workforce in our region.”

So, while we might have to weather the storm outside today, rest assured that positive changes are right around the corner for students and our community at large!