At a press conference Thursday, Northwest-Shoals Community College and the Alabama Community College System announced they will invest up to $30 million over the next two years on capital improvement projects.

Improvements, including upgrades to current facilities, will occur on both the Shoals and Phil Campbell campuses of the college.

“Our students are our No. 1 priority, and these capital projects will ensure every classroom offers NW-SCC students a state-of-the-art learning environment,” said Northwest-Shoals Interim President Dr. Chris Cox. “These campus upgrades will expand and enhance our ability to provide our students greater opportunities to pursue educational and workforce development programs that will support the needs of the businesses and industry in our area. The improvements will also ensure that our facilities and educational environment are aligned with the outstanding instruction and support our students receive at NW-SCC.”

Funding for the campus improvement projects will be provided by NW-SCC and the Alabama Community College System, including funds recently awarded by the Alabama Legislature through the Public School and College Authority bond issue.

Cox said specific construction and campus enhancement projects are expected to be approved by the ACCS Board of Trustees upon completion of final designs. Completion of the projects is expected to occur within the next two years.

“The investment announced today will not only make a significant impact on the NW-SCC student experience, but it will also have significant economic impact on Northwest Alabama,” said ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “Community is in our name, and projects like these help our colleges better serve the communities where they reside.

“NW-SCC is a special place, and great things are on the horizon for the college, its students, and the communities we serve.”

NW-SCC Student Business Office Management student Pornesha Armstead shared how important it is for the look of the college to match the services and the hospitality of the faculty and staff.

“I am so excited to know the facilities and campuses at Northwest-Shoals will soon match the great services the college offers and amazing people that work here,” Armstead said.

NW-SCC English instructor Michael McClung spoke of how special NW-SCC and the ACCS are to him and his family.

“I am a true believer in the community college system,” said McClung. “I’m a product of Northwest-Shoals and the Alabama Community College System and learned to be disciplined and focused here as a student. My mother, my wife, and my son are also successful products of Alabama’s community colleges.”

McClung emphasized how important innovative and modern facilities are to students.

“Modern facilities are a must for our students,” he said, “and Northwest-Shoals will be in a far better position to recruit, retain and educate students with state-of-the art classrooms and labs.

“I believe this investment in the college and our community could have the biggest impact of anything I’ve seen in my 26 years at the college.”