It will be a community-wide celebration today as technical college dignitaries, civic leaders and elected officials gather to celebrate Savannah Technical College’s Effingham grand opening and campus dedication at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Tours of the campus will be available this morning beginning at 10.  

The campus is on Highway 21 between Springfield and Rincon on 70 acres of land donated by the Effingham Industrial Development Authority. It opened quietly in August and is in its first full quarter of instruction now with more than 150 students on campus.

“We’ve been very pleased with the warm reception we’ve received in the community,” said Campus Director Laurie Herrington. “It’s clear to me that the people and the employers in Effingham understand the value of technical education.”

The grand opening and dedication will feature participation from both Effingham public high schools. The Effingham County High School Air Force JROTC will present the colors and members of the South Effingham High School band will provide music. Officials representing the Industrial Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education and the Effingham School Board will participate.  Gov. Sonny Perdue has been invited to attend.

The public is welcome to attend.