Tri-County Technical College Breaks Ground on $31 Million Anderson Campus Expansion

Tri-County Technical College President Galen DeHay stood before a line of golden shovels, joined by county leaders, educators, and community partners, to mark the commencement of a significant $31 million expansion of the college’s Anderson Campus.

 

This initiative aims to reshape the region’s approach to workforce training and opportunity.

 

Since its inception in 2007, the Anderson Campus spanning 36 acres along Michelin Boulevard has served as a cornerstone for technical education in Upstate South Carolina.

 

It was the college’s first community campus, embodying the philosophy that technical education should be accessible where people live and work.

 

Nearly two decades later, this vision has evolved into comprehensive master plans, substantial federal grants and an expanding array of programs that seamlessly integrate classroom learning with real-world job sites.

 

The forthcoming expansion will consolidate programs in mechatronics, automotive technology, commercial truck driving, heavy equipment operation, and utility work under one roof.

 

This development reflects both market demands and the college’s mission, transforming the Anderson Campus into a regional hub for manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.

 

Many of these programs are currently operating at full capacity or have waiting lists, underscoring the pressing need for this growth.

 

“This expansion is a game-changer for our students, our employers and our region,” said DeHay.

 

“These programs form the backbone of our economy and provide pathways to great careers with strong earning potential.

 

In total, this expansion will allow us to serve more than a thousand students across eight programs.”

 

Education often mirrors local identity and in Anderson County, that reflection is one of resilience and industry.

The planned 25,000-square-foot automotive facility will replace the existing one in Pendleton, offering students larger labs and state-of-the-art equipment.

 

A new 13,000-square-foot academic building will, for the first time, house the full mechatronics program on a single campus.

 

Additionally, a Heavy Duty Diesel program -still a rarity in South Carolina - will be introduced to address the chronic shortage of skilled workers in this field.

 

The project is funded through a combination of capital reserves, state appropriations, a federal equipment grant and philanthropic contributions from the college’s foundation.

 

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027.

 

During this period, the Anderson landscape will gradually transform.

 

On the west side of Michelin Boulevard, new training facilities will emerge: an 11,000-square-foot building for heavy equipment and forklift programs, an expanded outdoor lab for commercial driving and a 10,000-square-foot field where students will learn to install power lines against the Upstate sky.

 

“This is an investment in people, jobs, and the future of Anderson County,” said S.C. Senator Mike Gambrell, highlighting the campus’s proximity to three federally designated Opportunity Zones.

 

County Council Chair Tommy Dunn echoed this sentiment, calling it “an investment in people and in the workforce that drives our local economy.”

 

For both leaders, the groundbreaking signifies more than just new buildings; it represents bringing opportunities closer to communities that have long needed access.

 

A key component of this access is the neighboring Anderson Institute of Technology, a modern facility serving high school students from Anderson School Districts 3, 4, and 5.

 

Its programs seamlessly transition into Tri-County’s degree pathways, creating what DeHay describes as a “clear bridge from high school to college and career.”

 

Together, these campuses form a continuous corridor of technical education, providing runways for young people committed to building their futures in their hometowns.

 

As construction progresses over the coming years, the expanded Anderson Campus will stand as a testament to the college’s mission.