ACC

[Doug Sturbaum]

The ACC task force is continuing to work on our proposal for ACC to relocate to PTC. We are putting together a presentation and a proposal that will be placed in front of the ACC BOD in the upcoming weeks.

We had a meeting with members of the ACC last night and had a brief question and answer session. In my opinion, they were pleased with our progress and they will continue to work their internal avenues for what is in the best interest of ACC.

Our minutes are on the city website. Please review them when you get an opportunity and feel free to ask any questions.

Best,
Doug Sturbaum

[Doug Sturbaum]

We are moving towards our final presentation for the ACC relocation to PTC. It is down to PTC and Newnan. The main difference being raw land versus redeveloped land.

It is up to ACC. Our proposal has not been finalized. We have discussed $25K of relocation assistance and grant funding draft assistance with the Development Authority (see ACC FRFP from 3/31/08). PTC is able to have both a private (ACC) and a public (Clayton St.) college here. They can feed off one another and compliment each other well. We have had numerous discussions with both institutions.

Housing and transportation have been discussed. We are looking at apartments, hotel space, rental property, etc. We have discussed golf carts, campus parking, commuter buses, etc. ACC currently has a van fleet available. Temporary classrooms are being reviewed at some of the local schools and churches. Same as every other college looks at concerning these issues, we are no different.

ACC would contribute jobs in our area as many of their faculty live in the surrounding areas and we are the demographic center of their student body, so enrollment is projected to increase. PTC would get athletic events, educational conferences, fine arts, educational resources (teacher recertifications, continuing education, etc.), hotel/motel taxes (visitors, family) and sales tax revenues from the students shopping and eating locally.

One of the studies presented from Dr. Jeffrey Humphries at UGA reports the following (GA Trend, August, 2008):
1. Colleges create jobs - for every 1 campus job, there are 1.4 off campus jobs.
2. Colleges and Universities are not recession proof, but hold up much better in economic downturns.
3. Revenue streams are created - some listed - East Ga College (Swainsboro) - $42MM and 471 jobs; Ga Southwestern St University - $78MM and 793 jobs.

One study from the State of Minnesota in 2003 reported that for every $1 spent, colleges and universities generate $6.14 in revenue.

There are projections that ACC will generate $25MM of revenue to the PTC base. The team from Historical Concepts have generated some visual renderings based on various colleges from around the U.S. that are quite attractive.

Please take a look at the ACC link on the www.peachtree-city.org website. There are numerous meeting minutes, drawings, notes, etc.

Thanks,
Doug Sturbaum

[Adrian]

Any new news?

[Doug Sturbaum]

Adrian,

Unfortunately, the economy has taken the wind out of the sails of this project right now. ACC has informed us that they are "still very interested, but must look at this project later in 2009 due to the economy". Being a small, private college, we can understand completely.

We are still actively pursuing this project and continue informal discussions with the Development Authorities. ACC still likes PTC and everything we have to offer as a community.

In my opinion, higher education is something we will continue to pursue in PTC. It leads to so many roads for our children and community - from jobs to senior education opportunities.

We will continue to follow up as we do, but nothing new right now due to the economy. ACC understands that when things turn around, they have a home here in PTC.

Thanks,
Doug