A Sedalia-based community college will begin offering classes in Boonville in August.
State Fair Community College will open a new location this fall. The school recently signed a lease with the city of Boonville to use a former Kemper Military School building for classes. The military school has been closed since 2003. College administrator Dr. Brent Bates says the location will be more convenient for students in Mid-Missouri.
“With gas prices the way they are today, it’s increasingly difficult for students to commute long distances. And one of our roles at the community college is access, and community colleges oftentimes are the first access to higher education for a majority of people,” Bates said.
Boonville Mayor Julie Thacher says she was surprised how quickly everything was approved.
“The city of Boonville approached State Fair about the possibility of locating a campus here in town, and, we first approached them in October of 2011. So, that’s only about seven months ago. So it’s been kind of a whirlwind event,” Thatcher said.
Bates says he expects one-hundred students to enroll in classes this August.