Austin Community College celebrated the dedication and grand opening of its Elgin Campus on Aug. 29.

ACC Elgin, the college's ninth campus, is 65,000 square feet and can accommodate 1,500 students.

Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape and State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, said ACC Elgin will contribute greatly to the city's economy, and they encouraged the community to get involved.

"I believe this campus will be a focal point for growth and improvement for all of our citizens," Pape said. "I encourage all of Bastrop County to contribute to its success—to boost it up, to talk it up, to participate in it [and] to take advantage of these classes offered here."

ACC board of trustees chairman Jeffrey Richard said the Elgin campus brings two new programs to the college: sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship and training for veterinary technicians.

ACC President Richard Rhodes said he hopes to establish a transfer program with Texas A&M University.

Classes for the veterinary technician program are expected to begin in spring 2013. In addition to agriculture programs, the campus offers general education courses, workforce training and skills programs for those who are not yet college-ready, according to ACC.

The campus includes a learning lab that offers free tutoring, online and on-site library services, science and computer labs, a student commons area and a bookstore.

The cost of the project is about $27 million in revenue bonds, said Alexis Patterson Hanes, ACC associate director of public information.

ACC Elgin is located at 1501 W. Hwy. 290 and is the first community college in Bastrop County. Construction on the campus began in late 2011. For more information, visit the website.

ACC's Hays campus is scheduled to open next, in spring 2014. More details on the campus, under construction in Kyle, are also available online.