NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville
State Community College celebrated the grand opening of its new Southeast Campus, located in
the former Dillard's store at Hickory Hollow Mall.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday morning, and was
followed by open house including walking tours, refreshments, and
entertainment.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean was on hand for the dedication, along
with other community leaders and residents who got a tour of the new
facilities.
Antioch business leaders have
been trying to revitalize the area around Hickory Hollow Mall. NSCC Southeast Campus director Ladonna Yarborough said she believes the college will
bring the area back to life.
"It's going
to bring more restaurants back, more retail stores, and the students will be
able to help be a part of that – not just as a customer, but there a lot of
them that want to open their own businesses," said Yarborough.
In addition to the NSCC
campus, Metro government has drawn up plans to convert the old JC Penney's into
a recreation center and new branch for the Nashville Public Library system. Healthcare
giant HCA has proposed to build a multi-million dollar data center nearby that
will employee around 70 people.
The Hickory
Hollow campus was just the latest expansion for NSCC. Nashville State opened
the doors to a new Clarksville campus last Thursday.
