Students in Clinton County and surrounding areas will soon have a new resource for higher education.
Ivy Tech Community College is setting up a center in Frankfort.
It’s expected to open for classes in the fall of 2013.
Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes says enhancing post high school opportunities for residents is a top priority.
“Thirteen percent of Clinton County residents have a higher education degree. Thirteen percent," he said.
"In the day and age we live in to be truly competitive with economic development and truly giving our citizens the ability to stay on the cutting edge of jobs and careers, we needed this in our community. It's game changer for Frankfort, Indiana.”
The center will be located in the current Frankfort Times newspaper building.
It’s expected to cost about $2.5-million.
It will be paid for through a combination of city and county funds, as well as a capital campaign.
Chancellor of Ivy Tech-Lafayette David Bathe says there is an educational need in the area and the new campus will open new opportunities for more Hoosiers.
"This site is one block from where four highways come together, so it's going to be easily accessible" he said. "There is a great opportunity for people who can't travel, great opportunity for the future of Indiana and for the future really of our country. We need to promote higher education.”
Officials from Frankfort, Clinton County, and Ivy Tech’s regional board unanimously approved plans for the project Monday night.