The University of North Georgia officially broke ground on a 27,300-square-foot addition to its Cumming Campus on Thursday. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, state Sen. Steve Gooch and Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow joined UNG President Bonita Jacobs and other state, Forsyth County and university leaders for the ceremony.
"This expanded space will allow UNG to train even more students to excel in high-demand career fields," Duncan said. "The position of this campus in fast-growing Forsyth County gives it a unique opportunity to support Georgia's growing workforce."
The new space will allow the capacity for the future enrollment of 2,200 students. The expansion will also help fulfill the growing demand for health care and technology-centric programs around North Georgia. Construction will begin in early 2023 with the new space set to open in fall 2024.
"UNG is celebrating our Sesquicentennial — our 150th anniversary — this year and the 10th anniversary of the Cumming Campus," Jacobs said. "These milestones give us an opportunity to reflect on our heritage, celebrate our achievements and look toward our future. Our university's founders knew in 1873, as we know today, the value of a college education and its role in strengthening communities."
The $12.5 million expansion will enhance the current 36,000-square-foot Cumming Campus building, after the project received funds in both the Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023 state budgets.
Brumbalow expressed the community’s gratitude to UNG and the state for their investment in the area.
"We are grateful for the way UNG continues to serve our community and provide a quality education for our workforce," Brumbalow said. "This expansion will only further those already strong efforts."
This expansion will increase the size of the Cumming Campus facility by more than 75%, making room for chemistry, physics, foreign language and computer labs, plus extra space for classrooms, offices, tutoring, supplemental instruction and academic advising.
"The expansion of UNG's Cumming Campus represents a significant commitment of higher education in the Forsyth County community, which is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in America," Dr. Ken Crowe, executive director of the Cumming Campus, said. "This expansion will continue the partnership between local education and business in meeting workforce needs for the region."
The Cumming Campus has grown 175% since opening in 2012 and currently serves 1,373 students.
