2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

lived with families in the community and participated in a number of community activities.
While most international students now live in on-campus housing or nearby apartments, many
are still active in the community and most of the activities and events conducted by the College’s
World View International Club, which includes most of the College’s international students, are
open to members of the community.
Career Technology and Training Center: The Career Technology and Training Center (CTTC)
is an initiative funded by Garrett County government to provide vocational training to the
residents of Garrett County and the surrounding region. The 20,000 square foot facility is being
renovated to include a welding shop, electronics and automation lab, and three multi-purpose
classrooms. There is also additional space which has not yet been dedicated. Grant funding is
currently being pursued to conduct a feasibility study, develop programs and identify curricula.
Garrett College’s current welding program will move to the CTTC upon completion of the
renovations.
Garrett Information Enterprise Center: The Garrett Information Enterprise Center (GIEC), a
business incubator, continues to provide office space and support services to technology driven
companies. As of fall 2008, the building was at 100% capacity, housing 9 tenants. Those
tenants range from government contractors to web designers.
Mountaintop Truck Driving Institute: The Mountaintop Truck Driving Institute (MTDI)
continues to serve non-traditional students seeking certification to become truck drivers.
Students enrolled in the fifteen-week program receive financial assistance in the form of Pell
Grants; loans; Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding from Maryland, West Virginia and
Pennsylvania; and Garrett Works (a division of the Department of Social Services).
Community and Athletic Recreation Center: A total of $15.5 million dollars in state funds and
$11 million in county reserve funds have been set aside to fund construction of the Garrett
College Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC). Construction was scheduled to
start in summer 2008, but higher than expected construction bids along with the downturn in the
economy caused the project to be put on hold. However, as a result of several recent
developments, it now appears likely that the project will resume, with projected completion date
of 2012. While this facility will unquestionably benefit the College, it will also be open to the
community for whom the benefits will be substantial since Garrett County lacks many of the
recreational facilities the CARC offers.
Videoconferencing Systems: In March 2009, the College acquired a new Polycom
videoconferencing system with grant funding provided by the Appalachian Regional
Commission (ARC). This system, which has content sharing and high-definition video
capability, connects to the University of Maryland Academic Telecommunications System
(UMATS) as well as to newly installed Polycom videoconferencing systems (also ARC funded)
located at Garrett County’s two high schools. This facility is available for use by the public and
is used by area businesses and county and state agencies for meetings, training sessions, and
other activities, including the administration of industry and professional certification tests.
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