Lower Fayetteville

Road could soon become the county's education corridor if a proposed technical

college opens in 2006.

Dr. Janet Ayers,

president of West Central Technical College, said she's meeting with officials

in Savannah this week to discuss funding of a 90,000-square-foot satellite

campus for the technical school on 28 acres on Lower Fayetteville Road.

"It's

one of our top priorities and we're going to be looking for about $1.4

million to buy the property," said Ayers.

The total facility

would cost $14-15 million and could serve up to 2,000 students, she added.

Currently,

Lower Fayetteville is the home of Newnan Crossing Elementary School. Early

next year, the school system's cultural arts center will open next to

the proposed site of the technical school.

West Central

Technical already has a presence in the county at the Central Education

Center, but Ayers believes a full-fledged campus will enhance the education

experience.

"We'll

be able to offer associate level degrees at the campus," she said.

Ayers hopes

the preliminary funding will be approved this week, and the land can be

acquired. Then, school officials could move into pre-design for the county's

first technical school.

"We're

excited about this and believe it would be a great addition to the county."