Georgia Highlands College has received a total of $4.1 million in state funding to renovate its Winn Building in Dallas near the current Paulding instructional site. The project will transform the facility into a modern academic building and expand degree and program offerings in the area.

“We would like to especially thank our legislators for all they do to support GHC, the USG and education in the state,” said Vice President for Advancement Mary Transue, who also serves in GHC’s Government Relations role. “Without their tireless support and dedication, this venture would not have been possible.”

GHC was approved for funding under the fiscal year 2019 state budget which was approved by Legislature and signed by Governor Deal.

The Winn Building, a former bank building, was gifted to GHC in 2010 from Paulding County.

GHC President Don Green stated the renovations will help raise graduation and retention rates as well as grow the site by increasing the capability for students to earn degrees and graduate on time without needing to leave Dallas.

“The new academic building will include more classrooms, a physical education lab, an academic success center for tutoring and advising and a new chemistry lab to accommodate students who take classes at our Paulding location,” Green said.

Increasing the program and class offerings will directly impact and support the community workforce through degree completion from a University System of Georgia college that is an affordable, quality-driven, access institution like GHC, he added.

The building is also expected to contribute to raising GHC’s current economic impact of nearly $150 million in Northwest Georgia. GHC has five locations across Northwest Georgia in Rome, Cartersville, Marietta, Dallas and Douglasville.

Additionally, Green stated the building also strengthens and broadens GHC’s ability to maintain a strong relationship with K-12 school systems across Northwest Georgia.