Feasibility Study: Workforce & Business Development Center – Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) engaged MRB Group to study the feasibility of a potential Workforce and Business Development Center in rural Pickens County, South Carolina. This project was an outgrowth of the College’s intention to enhance its economic impact across its three-county footprint and prepare residents for long-term career success.  

MRB Group undertook a thorough study of the Pickens County economy, trends in STEM-related industries and occupations, the needs of the local business and economic development community, and the potential pipeline of students for various types of training. We interviewed a range of educational institutions, employers, state and local officials, and non-profit economic development and workforce development organizations and analyzed the potential deal flow for particular types of curriculum and entrepreneurial support services. Our work was focused through the lens of the College’s economic impact goals (e.g., consideration of various occupations’ wages) and the intersection of political, financial, and market feasibility.  

Finally, MRB Group laid out a strategy for establishing the future Workforce and Business Development Center, including recommendations for facility size, location, targeted end-users, and an indication of potential construction and operational costs.  

RESULTS 

MRB Group found that the College can best advance its goals and address local needs by focusing its training efforts on producing future manufacturing workers with skills in machine maintenance, CNC machine operating and programming, mechatronics, and industrial electronics, as well as IT administrators and truck drivers. MRB Group recommended that the College consider a two-phased approach. In Phase 1, the College enhances local delivery of training through existing facilities and partners. In Phase 2, the College builds a Workforce and Business Development Center that includes training space (primarily for non-credit and corporate education offerings) and incubation space.

Big Idea

Enhance economic impact across three counties and prepare residents for long-term career success