The state-of-the-art Lexington 2 Innovation Center was formally dedicated recently. Innovation Center families, educators, business and community leaders, school board members, district administrators and others turned out for a reception and tours of the 2-story, 110,000-square-foot facility. Among featured speakers were State Sen. Nikki Setzler and Cayce Mayor Elise Partin. “This Innovation Center, is incredible,” said Setzler, a graduate of Lexington 2 schools whose family has strong ties to the district. The senator noted that Lexington 2’s college and career programs at the new center offer an opportunity not only in turning out graduates ready to work in businesses already here but to draw new industry to the area. The Innovation Center -- informally the L2IC --opened in mid-October at 509 Bulldog Blvd. The state-of-the-art facility houses a number of college and career readiness programs for high schoolers as well as dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. The programs include:

• Automotive Collision Repair

• Automotive Technology

• Building Construction

• Culinary Arts

• Computer Programming

• Cosmetology

• Digital Art & Design

• Engineering

• Electricity

• Firefighting

• Health Science

• Multimedia & Animation

• Sports Medicine

• Welding Students in the Culinary Arts program, under the direction of instructor and Chef Isaac Pressley, prepared a sampling of foods including barbecue sliders, egg rolls, and teriyaki chicken skewers with dipping sauces. The Innovation Center is the third new school to open as part of a $225 million package of improvements approved by Lexington 2 voters in 2014. Construction work is under way on the final phase of the project, which includes upgrades to all of the district’s schools serving Cayce, Pine Ridge, South Congaree, Springdale and West Columbia. Superintendent Dr. William James Jr. lauded the opportunities the new center will bring for students, whether they’re heading to the center for dual placement courses for college credit or working toward professional certification upon graduating.