Levy County is heading toward significant growth and Central Florida Community College looks forward to strengthening its partnership with the county through expanded educational opportunities. 
Sign north of Chiefland marking location for new campus.
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At the present time, the CFCC Levy Center has a storefront location in a Chiefland shopping mall and serves more than 1,750 students per year. There is a need for a more extensive curriculum. With the new hospital being built in Chiefland, CFCC will work with the community to provide programs and training that reflect workforce and educational needs such as health career programs, advanced construction and manufacturing skills, public safety and security careers, including customized small business and corporate training. Loy Ann Mann of Chiefland is on the board for the college and explained in a recent interview that she had been contacted by the college to assist in finding a building site. She stated, "I tried to find something in the city that had water and sewer, but none of the land was large enough to accommodate the college." After discussion with their family, it was agreed that Jack and Loy Ann Mann would donate 15 acres of their land for a building site. The college has purchased the remaining 19 acres, which is located on the west side of US 19, just north of Chiefland and south of Fanning Springs. More than 22,000 square feet for state-of-the-art classrooms and a large community meeting space for public use will be housed in the center designed to compliment the natural landscape. Mrs. Mann stated that with the high cost of gasoline, more and more students will be finding it difficult to travel out of the county for college. She also pointed out that the land backs up to the Nature Coast Trail, which means many students will have the option of biking to their classes. $850,000 has already been raised toward the building of this worthwhile project. Drummond Bank has donated a sizable amount, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Ron St. John, dairy farmers and owners of Chiefland Farm supply. $650,000 is still needed by January 31, 2009, which is the state deadline for matching funds. The goal for the campaign is $1.5 million in private funds. With the success of this campaign, the college believes it can leverage state funds for $7.5 million. Mrs. Mann stated there will be fundraisers related to this project in the future. She also pointed out that this is coming at a time when there is growth in the area and will coincide with the hospital in Chiefland. She said, "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our area. It will serve both the younger and older generation." With 70 percent of community college graduates traditionally returning to live and work near the community in which they received that portion of their education (CRD New Century Series Research Paper #12), the Levy Center will contribute to growing its workforce locally. To make a donation for the Levy Campus Development or for more information, contact Loy Ann Mann at 352-493-4650 or Dr. Rayanne Giddis, Director of Education in charge of Levy Campus, at 352-493-9533. | 