$920,000 Bonds Sold for CVTC’s Renovation of Woodlee Building
Bonds in the amount of $920,000 have been sold for the renovation of Coosa Valley Technical College’s Woodlee Building. The college plans to use the Woodlee Building to house the new culinary arts program. The bonds were approved during the 2006 session of the General Assembly with sponsorship from Senator Preston W. Smith. The Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) Board of Directors authorized the sale of the bonds at the February 2007 board meeting.
“I met with President McDaniel and talked with him about what the college’s needs were last year, and one of the things he talked about was renovating the Woodlee Building and opening a culinary arts program. It just seemed like a great fit to me and a wonderful opportunity. We had a chance in the budget, in late negotiations last year, to bond the project,” stated Senator Preston W. Smith. “The bonding projects take a little longer because first they have to be approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, then the bonds have to be sold to raise the funds. I worked through that process late into the session last year and worked with the governor after the session to make sure we could keep this project in his recommendation. I was very excited when we got word the bonds had been sold and the money was becoming available for use in the district. I just think it’s a great opportunity to continue the expansion of the good work at Coosa Valley Tech.”
The $920,000 will go toward the renovation of the Woodlee Building that will house Coosa Valley Technical College’s (CVTC) culinary arts program. The Woodlee Building, along with 40 acres of land, was purchased by the State of Georgia in 2001. CVTC will immediately begin the process of hiring a program director for the culinary arts program, who will help oversee the renovation of the Woodlee facility. CVTC anticipates having the renovation complete in 8-12 months and hopes to begin enrolling students by the 2008 fall quarter.
Representative Katie M. Dempsey added, “Until I began serving on the General Assembly, I did not realize the full magnitude of the impact that technical education has on our area. The culinary arts program will allow people, not only to train and improve themselves, but it will also have a great economic impact on our area. I’m grateful for the work that Senator Smith did to set this project in motion and I’m glad the money is in hand so the work can begin to open this new program for Coosa Valley Technical College. This is a great opportunity for the school and the students.”
“Coosa Valley Technical College has proven to be a crown jewel in the technical and adult education schools around the state. It is a model for other schools to emulate and I am just a big fan of all that CVTC has done and what they mean to our community,” Smith said.
“Coosa Valley Technical College could not continue responding to the needs of Northwest Georgia without the support of our legislative delegation,” stated CVTC President, Dr. Craig McDaniel.
The Construction Division of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC), the Department of Technical and Adult Education, and Coosa Valley Technical College will enter into a management agreement to oversee the renovation. The GSFIC was created in 1972 and oversees issuance of bonds by the State; performs all services relating to the issuance, investment, and accounting of proceeds from general obligation bonds; and acquires and assists in the construction of projects for state agencies and authorities financed through such bonds. The Construction Division is responsible for disbursing all bond proceeds in a manner that complies with the legislative intent and helps to insure fiscal stewardship for the benefit of Georgia citizens. During the renovation, GSFIC will work with CVTC to hire an architect and general contractors. They will also assist in approving change orders, making decisions regarding the work, approving payments, making inspections, and settling issues that may arise, as well as coordinating any additional changes desired by CVTC.
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