New conference center builds up hopes

The top two floors of the 60,000-square-foot facility will comprise classrooms and labs for teaching allied health sciences. The college plans to reproduce programs such as medical assisting, surgical technology and radiology technology from its Oakwood campus, but it is also seeking accreditation to add new programs such as diagnostic medical sonography and teaching physical therapy assistants, personal trainer technicians and medical skin care assistants.

These programs will feed into work force needs of hospitals along the Ga. 400 corridor — Northside Hospital-Forsyth, North Fulton Regional Hospital and Emory Johns Creek Hospital — and the growing medical community in the area.

“We work with local health care advisers to make sure that we’re training the work force they need,” Vandiver said. “Health care is one of the biggest growth sectors in the economy of this region. While none of us knows what will happen with health care in the future, we know that they will need trained workers.”

While two-thirds of the building will serve traditional, educational purposes, Lanier Tech is moving in uncharted territory by opening a 14,000-square-foot meeting and conference center on the building’s main floor.

Other technical colleges have added conference centers, but this is the first venture in Forsyth County.

Vandiver calls the conference center an economic tool for the county, something that can drive more hospitality dollars into the region, spur new jobs and support local businesses by providing them a place to meet and hold work force training.

“We’ve had tremendous support from the county in making this happen,” Vandiver said.

Forsyth County gave $1 million in voter-approved SPLOST VI funding for the project.

“We’re very excited about this project and thank Forsyth residents for their role in making it a reality” Forsyth County Manager Doug Derrer said. “There has been a very clear need for a facility such as this in the county. There is no doubt that it will serve as an important gathering space for the community.”

The key will be making the conference center’s operating budget self-sustaining, a job that falls to new conference center Director Sara Harrison.

She knows her facility fills a need.

“Groups have had to go out of the county to hold any large event because there wasn’t a space large enough here,” Harrison said.

Fittingly, the center’s inaugural event will be the 600-person annual dinner for the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, an event that has had to be held in Fulton County in recent years.

The chamber is also eyeing the facility for its annual small-business expo. Other interested prospects include Business 400, a network of businesses along the Ga. 400 corridor from Sandy Springs to Dahlonega who like its central location, and the 400 North Board of Realtors.

“There are many conference centers around the state, and we did a complete market analysis in setting our rates and target market,” Harrison said.

Two high school proms are already booked, and Harrison has given quotes for numerous weddings. But she also plans to make the center a go-to place for corporate training by local businesses.

“Our rooms break down to different sizes, and we’re equipped with the latest projection system, video-conferencing capability, catering services and laptop rental,” Harrison said. “We asked local companies what they needed and then provided more. It’s a turnkey operation. All they have to do is show up and get down to business.”

The building will add jobs in new staff and provide training for students in high school culinary programs. She also expects it to boost hospitality-sector dollars and development. A major hotel chain has plans to build next to The Avenue, a neighboring shopping center. With proximity to Ga. 400, Lake Lanier and the North Georgia mountains, and nearby shopping and dining available, Harrison foresees no difficulties in selling the center as an alternative to more urban meeting places.

“I’m confident that we will have the business we want and need to be sustainable, and that this building will strengthen our ties with the local business community,” Harrison said.

Vandiver is already thinking of classes for entrepreneurs, franchisees and small-business startups. Having started a successful ammonia refrigeration program and a Manufacturing Development Center, his economic development staff is aware of the needs for small-business support in the county.

“This conference center will be a game-changing piece of infrastructure for our community,” said James McCoy, president and CEO of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “On the most basic level it’s a venue for all kinds of organizations and businesses to meet close to home. That’s practical and good for tax dollars, but I also foresee us being able to attract business and visitor dollars from other counties.”

Government and business leaders had long considered a conference center a top priority, he said. According to the latest U.S. Census figures, Forsyth is still among the 10 fastest-growing counties in the country (in terms of percentage of growth).

“We’ve seen seven new economic development projects, the creation of 344 new jobs and companies spending $40 million in new capital investment this year,” McCoy said. “Our unemployment rate is 8.3 percent, which is lower than state and national numbers, and we are working through our existing housing inventory faster than surrounding counties.”

He believes that the county’s strategy to attract small and mid-size businesses from different industries, rather than one major employer, has given it a stronger economy.

“So has the very thoughtful investment in key infrastructures, like this new conference building,” McCoy said. “I’m not worried at all about it being used. It’s going to be a great asset.”