Beacon College expansion gets underway in Leesburg

LEESBURG – As part of campus expansion efforts, Beacon College recently set the wheels in motion for the construction of a new $2.3 million facility, as it broke ground in Leesburg.

The new 8,000-square-foot, two-story administrative building is one segment of an overall expansion plan to accommodate an increase in student enrollment. The facility will feature classrooms and offices for administrative staff.

“The expansion of Beacon College will be of great benefit to everyone here in Lake County,” said Scott Blankenship, Director of Lake County’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism. “This capital expansion will provide both short term jobs, and after completion will provide sustainable professional employment opportunities for years to come.”

To help bring this project to fruition, Beacon College utilized resources offered by the Lake County Office of Economic Development & Tourism through its business incentive programs. Beacon College qualified for funds through the County’s High Value Job Creation Program (HVJCP) for the creation of at least five new high-wage jobs that pay a minimum of 115 percent of the County’s average annual wage. The institution will also take part in the Business Assistance Program (BAP), which provides matching funds to new and expanding businesses to offset development costs such as building permit fees, impact fees and infrastructure improvement costs.

The new structure will be the first academic building constructed by Beacon College in the school’s 23-year history, and the construction is expected to take eight months. The institution will celebrate the new addition with an official ground-breaking ceremony, scheduled for Oct. 5 during Parent’s Weekend.

Founded in 1989, Beacon College is a leading institution in education support services for students with learning disabilities. In addition, Beacon College is the only accredited institution that offers both bachelor’s and associates degrees for students with learning disabilities and ADHD.

For more information about the expansion, call Beacon College at 352-638-9706 or visit www.beaconcollege.edu. For more information about Lake County’s business incentive programs, call the Lake County Office of Economic Development & Tourism at 352-742-3918 or visit www.businessinlakefl.com.