Published: July 09, 2008 10:46 am         

HCC prez Boyce wants area’s help in expanding college

The message to those in attendance at the Kosciusko-Attala Development Corporation Quarterly Meeting is simple – If the people of Attala County and Kosciusko want to see more education and training from Holmes Community College then its in their hands.

Dr. Glenn Boyce, president of Holmes Community College, was the speaker at the lunch time meeting at Rib Alley’s The Front Room on Tuesday.

Boyce said he had to be driven by the leaders of the community to bring a bigger presence of HCC to the area.

“You guys need to tell me what you need and you have to be the stakeholders,” he said.

With the departure of Milwaukee Electric Tool, the Attala County Board of Supervisors along with the KADC have been in talks with HCC and others about a projected workforce training center in the now vacant county-owned building.

Boyce outlined his “vision” for the center.

More career-technology training from Internet-based to hands-on-labor training.

Besides training, the center would be a one-stop shop for those looking for a GED, employment opportunities, a meeting space for companies and more.

“I don’t know if it can get any better than this,” he said.

Boyce asked the group to think of the training needs of the area and he will “run with it as long as the supervisors run” alongside him.

“We are willing to be a part of it if you pave the way,” he said.

KADC CEO Steve Zea said that HCC wouldn’t totally occupy the center.

Zea said he has been in talks with the WIN Job Center about moving their location to the MET building.

“This is a major step forward,” Zea said.

The county has also been awarded a $30,000 planning grant to do a feasibility study on the MET building.

Zea said there would be an online survey to scope out the training needs of the area hopefully within a week or so.

“Anyone that needs training go online and fill out the survey,” Zea said. “I need your help to encourage others.”

“We are committed to Kosciusko and Attala County,” Boyce said

The KADC’s Web site is www.kadcorp.org.