NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, Shorter College held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new technology hub, which leaders said is an innovative facility designed to propel academic excellence into the future.
"This has been in the making for a couple of years, so it takes a while to bring a project like this to fruition," Shorter College President Jerome Green said. "Not only do we hope that it will recruit more students to show to college, but we hope that it will be an economic stimulus for the city of North Little Rock on the east Broadway corridor."
Green said the new addition will provide students with a more technologically advanced learning environment.
"We have received a $1.2 million grant for a $1.8 million renovation project to create [and] transform the historic Rock Island Railroad Depot into a 21st-century technology hub," Green said. "We will teach computer technology and other innovative courses for 21st century employment."
Shorter College's Student Government President, Mercedes Williams, said the technology hub will provide more resources to those in need.
"The opportunities to have a place to go to be able to work on technology," Williams said. "There may be people in the area or community... students that might not have internet access, so I believe this will be a blessing for all."
Green said the hub will offer certificate programs in coding, IBM credentials and blockchain technology.
"We are primarily a two-year associate degree-granting institution," Green said. "This is an innovation where, along the way, students can get more than that. They can get immediate employment, immediate job credentials."
This renovation benefits Shorter College and the city of North Little Rock.
"No matter what level... you can make it better for people, kids and adults," North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick said. "People want to do another education. That's a good thing."
Shorter College said the construction will start within the next 30 days, and they predict the project to be complete by mid-summer.