Lack of use has prompted Texarkana College to permanently close the TC on Main site in downtown Atlanta, Texas.
TC President James Henry Russell said attendance was down at the once-thriving satellite branch of the college and closing it on Wednesday was a good business decision.
"The most beneficial thing we can be doing is taking the resources we do have available that we are going to put in Cass County and put those into the model that hits the most number of students and has the biggest bang," he said.
That model is the recently-expanded dual-credit program at area high schools. It allows students to earn college credit prior to graduation.
"Our TC on Main site was a great way to bring college courses closer to our Cass County students, but over the past several years, we've seen more and more students taking those classes while they're still in high school," Russell said. "Those dual-credit courses are actually taught at the student's high school, meaning fewer students are relying on TC on Main facility each semester."
He added that when students graduate from high school, they attend classes on the main TC campus and then transfer to a four-year university, completing their degrees quicker with less of a financial burden.
"Some dual-credit students in programs like cosmetology and welding are even able to graduate and go to work in good jobs after just one semester as a full-time college student," he said. "We are starting to see that this is one of the best ways we can serve Cass County and help increase the percentage of residents that have a higher-education degree or certificate in the area."
TC pared down classes at the facility from five days to three a year ago and tried different marketing plans, but attendance remained low, Russell said. Closing the facility will save conservatively $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
The TC Foundation also recently awarded $220,000 in presidential scholarships to 22 Cass County students.
Russell said TC values its partnership with the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce, which owns the lease to the former TC on Main building.
"TC thanks the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce for its support. The chamber has been a great partner and has played such an important role in our service to the citizens of Cass County," Russell said. "We look forward to continuing to work with the chamber as we expand dual credit college classes in Cass County schools."