LECANTO - Central Florida Community College opened new doors for the Citrus County community today.

Nearly 200 college and community members were on hand for the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Citrus Learning and Conference Center, Dorothea G. Jerome Building and Nursing Suite.

District Board of Trustees Chair Betty Strifler presented keys to Dr. Vernon Lawter Jr., Citrus Campus vice president/provost.

“I am very pleased to turn over the beautiful new building to the Citrus Campus and the residents of Citrus County,” she said. “This $10.5 million investment is a testament to the college’s commitment to Citrus County, and to the growth and development of the Citrus Campus.”

The new 36,000-square-foot facility increases Citrus Campus instructional space by 80 percent and includes seven fully equipped multipurpose classrooms, a multidiscipline science lab and a state-of-the-art computer lab for college and corporate education; 5,000 square feet of exhibit and conference space; and a one-stop comprehensive student center with enrollment services, counseling and advising, financial aid, testing and computer stations.

“CFCC’s mission has always been to ensure that educational opportunity is available for all those in our community who seek it,” said Lawter. “The events of today are affirmation that, with the support of our local community, we are up to that challenge for the foreseeable future.”

The dedication of the Dorothea G. Jerome Building honors the contributions of a longtime supporter of the college who provided gifts totaling $1.3 million. The nursing suite within the building will provide state-of-the-art learning tools.

The CFCC Citrus Campus is located at 3800 S. Lecanto Highway in Lecanto. To learn more about CFCC, visit www.CF.edu.