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September 2, 2010
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WCA’s bioscience labs on display
Published November 22, 2009
Community leaders and business officials from around the county and state gathered at the Walton Career Academy to get a close-up view of the new bioscience facilities.
While the life sciences wing had its official opening earlier this year, the Thursday event, sponsored by the Development Authority of Walton County, was a chance to talk about the economic development opportunities offered by the new program.
“The primary focus was to get our statewide folks here to see what’s going on at the career academy, especially the new life science wing,” said Nancy Kinsey, executive director of the development authority.
Mark Peevy, CEO of the academy, said the new addition was only strengthening the reach of the institution.
“Our partnership with Walton County Public Schools and Athens Tech has really, in the past couple of years, provided opportunities that weren’t here before,” Peevy said. “We have a workforce that is ready for any industry that may come to Walton County. That’s what a career academy is for. The capacity is here.”
Carole Henderson, director of Health Sciences and Advanced Technologies for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the career academy represented a step forward not only for Walton County.
“This is very important not just for your community but the entire state,” Henderson said, adding the life science wing would help prepare students for coming bioscience jobs. “This is key. It will provide students with the skill set they need for the biotech field.”
Henderson said the career academy’s presence was important to potential deals with biotech firms to locate in the Stanton Springs technology park outside Social Circle and the emerging bioscience corridor between Atlanta and Athens.
“The first thing a biotech company looks at is the workforce,” Henderson said. “This wing will educate our workers to prepare them for the bioscience field and that is what will attract the biotechnology industry.”
Academy officials pointed to the Work Ready program, which is fewer than 60 people away from meeting state certification, as another way to attract businesses while Athens Tech official Jerry Barrow said the entire facility could adapt to whatever services were needed.
“We can turn on a dime,” Barrow said, looking to the future. “If you have an economic development project, we can develop a program to serve that very quickly.”
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