Clemson trustees approve facilities projects

Published: March 12, 2012

CLEMSON — Clemson University’s longtime goal of having a permanent academic home in downtown Greenville came a step closer to reality Monday when the board of trustees approved plans to acquire space in a new development at Washington and Main streets. The board action allows plans to go forward for required state approvals.

The Clemson University Real Estate Foundation (CUREF) will purchase approximately 70,000 square feet of space in Project One, which will then be leased by the university, pending state approval. The university currently leases space in the former Bowater building near Falls Park. The additional space at Washington and Main will allow Clemson to expand graduate degree offerings for Upstate residents.

“Having our business programs in downtown Greenville has been good for Clemson and good for Greenville,” said Clemson President James F. Barker. “However, from the first day we established a presence downtown more than a decade ago, it has been our goal to have our own facility. This project allows us to have a premium downtown location in a new facility that Clemson will own, and which can be specifically designed for our needs.”

Barker said the project would not have been possible without support from CUREF and a significant gift-in-kind from developer Bob Hughes and other Project One investors. Hughes said, “We are excited to be part of the Clemson announcement. This addition will transform Greenville, adding relevant business educational offerings to our existing, well-known and well-rounded community.”

Since relocating its business programs to downtown Greenville in January 2010, Clemson has seen significant increases in student interest, enrollment and revenue. From fall 2010 to fall 2011, the Master of Business Administration program had a 15 percent increase in new student enrollment and a 41 percent increase in part-time and non-degree students entering the program.

Also thriving are programs that help drive economic development through customized training for business and industry and support for startup companies and small businesses. Since moving to Greenville, Clemson’s professional development programs have grown substantially and are expected to generate more than $400,000 in new revenue this year that can be reinvested in programs.

In addition, new programs from the Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership are helping local residents turn ideas into businesses. An eight-session course called Sustainable Entrepreneurs & Economic Development drew 30 participants, while 64 would-be business owners participated in LaunchPad, a competition for start-up funds and support services. An MBA in Entrepreneurship, recently approved by Clemson’s board of trustees, will begin enrolling students in June.

“These programs are prime examples of Clemson’s critical role in economic development, not only in preparing our graduates for jobs, but also creating new jobs through entrepreneurial activity and innovation,” said Claude Lilly, dean of the college. “Downtown Greenville is the perfect setting and a great living laboratory for these initiatives.”

In other action, the board approved two projects for the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston: concept plans for a graduate education center and additional equipment at a wind-turbine drivetrain test facility to support power grid research. Both will require further state approvals. Trustees also endorsed a resolution to allow the university to refinance existing outstanding institutional bonds to take advantage of low interest rates.

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