Clemson trustees approve facilities projects
March 12, 2012
CLEMSON, SC – March 12, 2012 – Clemson University’s longtime goal of having a permanentacademic home in downtown Greenville came a step closer to realityMonday when the board of trustees approved plans to acquire space in anew development at Washington and Main streets. The board action allowsplans to go forward for required state approvals.
The Clemson University Real Estate Foundation (CUREF) will purchaseapproximately 70,000 square feet of space in Project One, which willthen be leased by the university, pending state approval. The universitycurrently leases space in the former Bowater building near Falls Park.The additional space at Washington and Main will allow Clemson to expandgraduate degree offerings for Upstate residents.
“Having our business programs in downtown Greenville has been goodfor Clemson and good for Greenville,” said Clemson President James F.Barker. “However, from the first day we established a presence downtownmore than a decade ago, it has been our goal to have our own facility.This project allows us to have a premium downtown location in a newfacility that Clemson will own, and which can be specifically designedfor our needs.”
Barker said the project would not have been possible without supportfrom CUREF and a significant gift-in-kind from developer Bob Hughes andother Project One investors. Hughes said, “We are excited to be part ofthe Clemson announcement. This addition will transform Greenville,adding relevant business educational offerings to our existing,well-known and well-rounded community.”
Since relocating its business programs to downtown Greenville inJanuary 2011, Clemson has seen significant increases in studentinterest, enrollment and revenue. From fall 2010 to fall 2011, theMaster of Business Administration program had a 15 percent increase innew student enrollment and a 41 percent increase in part-time andnon-degree students entering the program.
Also thriving are programs that help drive economic developmentthrough customized training for business and industry and support forstartup companies and small businesses. Since moving to Greenville,Clemson’s professional development programs have grown substantially andare expected to generate more than $400,000 in new revenue this yearthat can be reinvested in programs.
In addition, new programs from the Spiro Institute forEntrepreneurial Leadership are helping local residents turn ideas intobusinesses. An eight-session course called Sustainable Entrepreneurs& Economic Development drew 30 participants, while 64 would-bebusiness owners participated in LaunchPad, a competition for start-upfunds and support services. An MBA in Entrepreneurship, recentlyapproved by Clemson’s board of trustees, will begin enrolling studentsin June.
“These programs are prime examples of Clemson’s critical role ineconomic development, not only in preparing our graduates for jobs, butalso creating new jobs through entrepreneurial activity and innovation,”said Claude Lilly, dean of the college. “Downtown Greenville is theperfect setting and a great living laboratory for these initiatives.”
In other action, the board approved two projects for the ClemsonUniversity Restoration Institute in North Charleston: concept plans for agraduate education center and additional equipment at a wind-turbinedrivetrain test facility to support power grid research. Both willrequire further state approvals. Trustees also endorsed a resolution toallow the university to refinance existing outstanding institutionalbonds to take advantage of low interest rates.
