If anyone doubted the importance of Central Louisiana Technical Community College's new downtown campus to Alexandria and the region, Gov. John Bel Edwards said, just look at how many people stood outside in summer-like temperatures Wednesday to see it officially opened.

"This is the biggest new investment by the state of Louisiana in Alexandria in a long time," Edwards told the large crowd. "It's an investment in our young people that's going to unleash prosperity and opportunity. This is what we ought to be about."

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CLTCC's new main campus is composed of two buildings.

The "Downtown Campus" building — located on a block bordered by Murray, Desoto, Fifth and Sixth streets — welcomed students for the first time Wednesday.

The CLTCC Manufacturing Training Center, located on Second Street by the Red River levee, was finished ahead of schedule and has been in operation since the start of the semester in August.

The new campus "serves as a beacon to anyone looking to better themselves by seeking to enter a high-wage, high-demand career," said CLTCC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle.

"Welcome to your house," Sawtelle said. "The house Louisiana built. The house Central Louisiana built. The house Alexandria built."

"If it seems like I'm floating away, it's because I'm walking on air," said Jim Clinton, president and CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. "I'm filled with gratitude for all that's been accomplished. This is about better jobs and moving up the median family income in this region."

Although the new campus project has drawn widespread acclaim, "it almost didn't happen," said Monty Sullivan, president of the Louisiana Technical and Community College System. Even though decision-makers at the state level had recognized Louisiana needed to improve its technical training opportunities and "this was a desert when it came to opportunity for two-year colleges," in terms of visibility, accessibility and programming, Sullivan said.

"It has been a journey" to get to this point, Sullivan said.

Downtown was selected as the site of the new main campus in 2014, replacing the former location on South MacArthur Drive. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new campus was held in May 2015.

The project was halted in 2016 because the state was facing a budget crunch and Edwards felt LCTCS might need to make major cuts, but it was announced as back on a few months later.

The city provided $2.6 million in matching funds for the project. A Rapides Foundation grant allowed for expansion on the original plans to include the Manufacturing Training Center.

More recently, the city has chipped in by creating several hundred new parking spaces downtown, creating a downtown police patrol and is installing security features such as cameras and improved lighting.

"It's just a great time to be downtown and part of this atmosphere," Mayor Jeffrey Hall said. "This can be a shot in the arm for downtown redevelopment. The evidence is all around us."

"Mayor Hall, when those parking spaces fill up, we'll come back to you," Sullivan said. "I can't wait to see what the people of Central Louisiana and Alexandria will create in this space."

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