The University of North Georgia is breaking ground this month on a new stand-alone Blue Ridge Campus on the heels of its "exponential" growth.
A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Oct. 17.
UNG currently leases a 3,600-square-foot facility at 83 Dunbarton Farm Road that does not offer lab space and has limited space for student use.
The campus has experienced 700 percent growth since its opening in 2015, reaching almost 160 students this fall. Blue Ridge Campus Director Sandy Ott is looking forward to moving into the new space once it opens.
"This is going to be a game-changer for this region," Ott said. "It demonstrates the access mission of UNG and provides students with the opportunity to pursue a college education from one of the state's leading public universities close to home."
Ott said the new campus, which received $5.5 million in the state's fiscal year 2019 budget, will allow for additional courses in the core curriculum. That means students will be able to spend a longer period of their college career at Blue Ridge.
The new campus will have classrooms and labs to allow students to fulfill the requirements for an associate degree, preparing them to transfer to another UNG campus to complete a bachelor's degree. UNG will expand professional and continuing education offerings to the area in the future at the new campus.
Funding for the new campus was announced earlier this year. The funding is part of the $26 billion state budget Deal signed in ceremonies in Atlanta, Acworth, Blue Ridge, Statesboro, and Tifton.
The new campus is expected to be ready for students by fall 2020.
