By Michael Butler

Many Tallassee kids have continued their studies in Alexander City at Central Alabama Community College after high school graduation. Soon, locals may have an option to do the same right here in Tallassee.

Mayor Joey Wiginton met with CACC president Jeff Lynn about potential locations for a Tallassee branch.

“We looked just below Neptune,” Wiginton said. “They’ve got a couple of empty buildings. They could start right away. Jeff was excited about the (lot) at Taylor Road and (Highway) 229.”

That space near the end of the city limits would offer an option to build buildings for a more full-scale campus.

“I think there’s 50 acres,” Wiginton added. “We met with the industries. They’re excited. This is what they need.”

Wiginton noted that the CACC programs can help feed employment to the Tallassee industrial workforce.

“(They) want local people. They’re likely going to stay.”

The CACC Center of Excellence for Innovation and Technology, which began last year in Prattville, is the type of model being considered for Tallassee.

“This center will give our students the tools and training they need to step confidently into the workforce,” Lynn stated in a press release after the groundbreaking in Prattville. “It also supports local economic growth by connecting education directly to industry needs.”

The program provides modern labs, collaborative workspaces and customized programs for job markets.

Wiginton said he expects things could be in place as early as January of 2027.