Austin Community College will celebrate the grand opening of the ACC Elgin Campus Thursday, Aug. 29 (Hwy. 290 & County Line Road; 10 to 11:30 a.m.). Elgin Campus is ACC’s ninth full-service location and the first college campus in Bastrop County.

“This campus is a great partnership between ACC and Elgin,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “It creates new opportunities for people in Bastrop County and surrounding areas to earn a degree or advance their careers, and it’s a resource for economic development. We’re glad to be part of this community.”

The event is open to the public. It will feature campus tours, performances from the Elgin High School marching band, refreshments, and remarks from special guests including Texas Sen. Kirk Watson and Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp.

In addition to offering core curriculum classes that transfer, Elgin Campus is home to the ACC’s new Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Program and will offer veterinary technician classes in the future, following approval from ACC’s accrediting commission.

“Elgin Campus is offering the programs and services that meet our community’s needs,” says Mayor Marc Holm of Elgin. “Access to higher education is a big part of our vision for Elgin’s future, and it’s exciting to see this campus come to fruition.”

Elgin Campus opened Aug. 12, providing on-site advising and registration for students. Classes began Aug. 26.