Photo Credit: Rome News Tribune – State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (from left), Atrium Health Floyd President Kurt Stuenkel, state Rep. Katie Dempsey, Georgia Highlands College President Mike Hobbs, University System of Georgia Board of Regents Member Cade Joiner and Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry.

This week, Georgia Highlands College announced the beginning of expansion of the Lakeview Building on the college campus.  The building is being renovated to accommodate an expanded healthcare degree program that will focus on nursing and other degrees in healthcare.  The Georgia General Assembly has allocated $900,00 to get the project started.  In all, the expansion is expected to cost $12 million.   Atrium Health Floyd is on board with the plans at Georgia Highlands College with a commitment to the Atrium Pathway Scholarship.  Already, more than forty students have gone through the pathway, sponsored by Atrium Health Floyd, and will graduate with the promise of positions at Atrium Health Floyd.  Local officials along with Atrium Health Floyd President Kurt Stuenkel were on hand on Thursday of this week to celebrate the expansion.  Elected officials present included State Senator Chuck Hufstetler, State Representative Katie Dempsey and Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry.