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The Demopolis Rotary Club got a sneak peek of the new West Alabama Regional Training Center that is part of the Alabama Community College System at a recent meeting. Dr. Blaine Hathcock, Campus Director for Wallace Community College Demopolis pictured in the center, gave Rotarians an update on the over $4.7 million in renovations, furniture and new equipment at the Old National Guard building on Highway 43.

When completed, the Training Center will not only provide classroom space but serve as a workforce development center to help support local industry. The center is designed with classroom space as well as labs that contain 25 welding stations, machine tooling, HVAC, industrial maintenance and computer training areas.

In addition, a training course for the commercial truck driving program will be located in the rear of the building. Along with supporting industry the center will serve as a place where students can pursue an associate’s degree in high demand technical programs.  A ribbon cutting for the new center is set for August 23, 2023.

Dr. Hathcock was particularly pleased to announce that Wallace Community College is hosting a SACS team from around the country in September as part of a long process to achieve accreditation for the Demopolis campus. The benefit of this accreditation will be that the Demopolis Campus can award Associate degrees right here in Demopolis. In other news, Wallace Community College is offering short term classes to support area medical facilities including Whitfield Regional Medical Center in Demopolis.