The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce is showing support for the TCL Workforce Training Center. The Chamber’s 2024 Public Policy agenda outlines this position:
- Support the advancement of workforce development efforts to benefit the region’s businesses and employees, including policies, programs, and facilities that connect education to business and create a positive local environment for recruiting, upskilling and retaining qualified workers by leveraging local, state, and federal funds.
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To: Beaufort County Council and Leadership
Re: TCL Workforce Training Center
The Board of Directors and members of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce support the proposed investment by Beaufort County in the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center at Technical College of the Lowcountry. Total project cost (construction and startup costs) is estimated to be $26 million. Total construction cost is estimated to be $20 million.
In 2023 the State of South Carolina passed H.4856 appropriating $10 million to support the construction of the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center. Beaufort County has been asked to provide $7.5 million towards the cost of construction. This support along with $2.5 million from the College provides the total amount required for construction of the Workforce Training Center.
The Chamber’s 2024 Public Policy Agenda supports this workforce development initiative, as we strive to advocate for workforce-ready students and greater opportunities for post-secondary opportunities tying into local business demands for skilled labor, especially from the South Carolina Technical College System.
With steady growth in population and business licenses seen in 2023 and projected for the next five years, it is a crucial time for our region to make progress with economic diversification and building programs to support workforce readiness.
Further, this Workforce Training Center will have the ability to support servicemembers transitioning from the region’s military bases to increase participation and prepare former servicemembers for the local labor force. The Workforce Training Center is projected to add 850 students and will allow the Beaufort Campus programs to be expanded in scope and facility size.