BLUFFTON, S.C. () — The Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) has received a $1 million appropriation from Jasper County for their workforce training center.

“We are so happy about the decision you made to support the college and the construction of the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center,” TCL President Dr. Richard Gough said.

While TCL has been an increase in enrollment numbers, Gough said that they still have work to do to prepare for the growth that is coming to the region. He added that Jasper County will be the center of that growth.

TCL broke ground on the training center following appropriations from the State of South Carolina and Beaufort County.

The total cost for the center is estimated to run $26 million. A spokesperson said they expect funding to come from other local governments, private sources and funds raised by TCL’s Foundation.

The new facility will have 50,000 square feet of space with a capacity for 850 students.

Jasper County Council Chairman John Kemp said he agreed with Gough and called the money an investment in the county’s future.

“When companies come here, they look at the population, they look at the training and the ability to train,” Kemp said. “The Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center will do just that.”

For more information visit www.tcl.edu.