TCL leader seeks roughly $1.3–$1.4M to finish $26M regional workforce training center

Rich Goff of the Technical College of the Lowcountry told a regional leadership meeting that TCL is moving ahead with plans for the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center, a 50,000–51,000-square-foot building on the New River campus intended to expand training in IT, logistics, cyber and the trades.

Goff gave enrollment and outcomes context for the proposal, saying TCL serves about 3,300–3,400 students, that roughly 91–93% of graduates remain in the Lowcountry and that the college has “a 96% placement rate” for graduates into related jobs. He told the group the project would allow TCL to expand allied-health and logistics programs that are currently constrained by space and equipment on the Beaufort campus.

The presentation included project costs and commitments. Goff described the estimate as “about $26,000,000” in total: roughly $451 per square foot, with an equipment/setup budget of about $2,500,000 and construction around $23,500,000. He said committed funding includes $13,500,000 from the state, a major commitment from Beaufort County (cited in the presentation as the largest investor), a commitment from Jasper of about $1,000,000, and a $150,000 grant from the city of Hardeeville. That, he said, leaves approximately $1.3–$1.4 million still to raise.

Goff stressed the project’s timeline and the state’s requirements: “They won’t let us take step 1 for the state until all the money’s at hand,” and the approval, construction and program ramp-up together could mean roughly four years before the first class graduates. He urged prompt fundraising so TCL can move through the state’s multi-step review process.

Board members and attendees praised TCL’s fundraising events and emphasized the center’s role in business retention and attraction. A council member said workforce availability is often the first question new businesses ask, and another attendee argued that modern warehousing requires automation and higher-skilled workers — needs TCL expects the new center to address.

Goff cited specific program strengths and student outcomes, including allied health, welding, HVAC and a cyber program that recently placed highly in a national competition. He also noted that roughly 18% of TCL’s students are active-duty military or military-affiliated and said the college is working to capture service members transitioning to civilian employment.

Next steps: Goff said TCL is applying for additional grants and continuing private fundraising; the college must complete fundraising to move the project through state review. No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting.