Appalachian State University announced on Friday they have purchased the fomer Corning Optical Communications headquarters building in Hickory and will open a new campus there.
The building is located on Highway 321 and has over 225,000 square feet.
Chancellor Sheri Everts said the university purchased the building for a little more than $1 million. The total assessed value of the building and land is listed at $5.9 million on Catawba County GIS.
The extent of the offerings at the new campus have yet to be announced but Everts said Friday, “For those who want an App State education but choose to live and work in the Hickory area, for those who may have begun but not completed their undergraduate degrees, App State is here for you.”
Megan Hayes, the university’s associate vice chancellor and chief communications officer, said there are no plans now to make any changes with the Appalachian Center at Catawba Valley Community College. It offers elementary education and social work programs.