A new science building officially opened during a ribbon cutting event at the Elk Grove Center on Thursday.

Building B is a $20 million facility housing classrooms and laboratories for biology, chemistry and other science courses. Fire Chief of Cosumnes Fire Station 77 Felipe Rodriguez said he was a Cosumnes River College student and he’s excited to have the college in front of the station.

“This building was a much needed opportunity for people to have a location where they can prosper, learn and advance their future career,” Rodriguez said. “It will allow the community to grow in every kind of way.”

Associate Vice President of Student Services Tadael Emiru said the facility provides an opportunity for the community of Elk Grove to have access to college courses because the EGC is the only higher education campus in the community. He said specific science classes are usually the first to fill up during enrollment and this facility helps increase the serving capacity to those students.

College President Dr. Edward Bush said this building is significant in the legacy of CRC and fulfills an immediate need to expand the campus’ educational program. He said it was important to serve the students without sacrificing new technology.

“Community college is the cultural anchor,” Bush said.

The new facility signals a symbiotic relationship, growing CRC and the community, Bush said.

Director of Administrative Services Chris Raines said the EGC will look to finish their third and final phase of expansion in roughly 10-15 years, adding another facility. Classes have been in session at the new facility since the start of the spring 2024 semester and will be adding more courses in the fall.

Raines said the classes offered at both the main campus and EGC are the same classes offered at Sacramento State University for a fraction of the price.

“You can’t take away education,” Rodriguez said.