Officials from the City of Hutto, Temple College, Texas State Technical College Waco and other community members gathered May 22 for the ground breaking of the new East Williamson County Higher Education Center campus.

"This day seems as though it has been a long time coming," said Scott Martinez, executive director of the Hutto Economic Development Corp., citing all of the steps the group went through to get the collaboration in Hutto. "When you consider all that, two years really wasn't that long."

The more than 100,000-square-foot building is scheduled to open in fall 2013 near Toll 130 and CR 108, said Jan Osburn, director of marketing and communications with Texas State Technical College.

Temple College President Dr. Glenda Barron said she owed a debt of gratitude to the voters in Hutto ISD, who supported the branch maintenance tax.

"We wouldn't be here now if it were not for the success of that election," she said.

Students began meeting at the school's temporary location—Hutto ISD's Veterans' Hill Elementary School—in fall 2011. The higher education center in Hutto is a collaboration that includes Temple College and TSTC.

For more information about class offerings, call 759-5900.