The Ferrum College Board of Trustees
has approved a plan for community and economic development that would
continue the College’s leadership role in improving the facilities
and academic programs of the College.
“Blue Ridge Village” will be built on
College-owned land. An aesthetically pleasing arrangement of retail
and service entities will end the need to drive as much as 30 minutes
to buy groceries, visit physicians, fill prescriptions and enjoy dining
out. Current plans call for Blue Ridge Village to include health services,
a grocery store, restaurants, shops, a bank and residential.
“Ferrum College is embarking on what
many colleges across the nation, especially small colleges in rural
areas, must do to remain vibrant – contribute to the economic development
of the surrounding area and become a catalyst for community renewal,”
said President Jennifer Braaten. “The long-term vitality of the Ferrum
community depends on a strong College and, likewise, Ferrum College
cannot succeed without a dynamic community.”
This academic year saw the largest enrollment
of new students in 13 years with total enrollment approaching the
1,000 mark.
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“Together with the improvements and
investments we are making in academic programs, new buildings and
student facilities through our FerrumPLUS! program, Blue Ridge Village
will play a key role in our effort to recruit and retain high-quality
students, faculty and staff while providing our neighbors and visitors
with convenient options that will greatly enhance the quality of life
in the surrounding area,” Braaten said.
While details of the plan are still
being defined, Ferrum College has begun talks with outside developers
regarding the commercial opportunity.
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This image is a conceptual design of what a Blue Ridge Village food
store and shopping area may look like. Image courtesy Dick Davis &
Associates. |
Mr.
Maury L. Carter, a Ferrum native, Ferrum College alumnus and eight-year
member of the Board of Trustees, is serving as an advisor for the project.
Carter, a successful developer and consultant, is the founder of Maury
L. Carter & Associates, Inc., an Orlando, Florida-based commercial
real estate firm that will be responsible for developing the land and
attracting tenants.
“The education I received at Ferrum shaped
my life immeasurably and prepared me for the challenges I’ve faced in
my career,” said Carter, “It has long been my desire to help the College
and the community where I was born and raised achieve their fullest
potential.”
The project will connect the campus and
shops with a safe walkway for pedestrians. The architectural designs
and landscaping will be in keeping with and complement existing campus
buildings and the natural beauty of the area.
Under the plan, the Farm Museum will be
relocated to the north side of Route 40, contiguous to the Blue Ridge
Institute, on land currently occupied by College maintenance facilities.
The historic character and cultural attractions of the Farm Museum will
be carefully preserved through a master plan that will offer enhanced
and expanded educational, programming and tourism opportunities. The
annual Blue Ridge Folk Life Festival will continue, and will feature
greater public accessibility to all of the many attractions and events
that make the festival a favorite destination for tens of thousand of
visitors every year.
“Part of this community plan will let
us ensure that the farm museum is protected for future generations,”
said Mr. Roddy Moore, director of the Blue
Ridge Institute and Museum. "This way we can improve the Institute
and also tie it in directly with the Farm Museum. A better BRI means
more for the community and helps us attract even more visitors year-round."
Ferrum College has a lengthy history of
partnering with the community to aid in the development and infrastructure
in the surrounding area. The College assisted in making land available
for Ferrum Elementary School and has made its property available to
house a water storage tank, cellular telephone tower and water and sewer
lines that service the community. The College also has invested more
than $20 million in major improvements and additions to the campus infrastructure.
Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational,
liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum
offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs
at a cost well below the national average for private colleges. For
more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu.
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