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Elected officials, business leaders and educators helped "Raise the Roof" Friday at the new Blount campus of Pellissippi State Community College.

Attendees signed a truss before it was raised and hammered into place by Messer Construction's workers as part of the "Raise the Roof" celebration. They later went on tours of the new campus.

The new $22 million campus at 2731 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Friendsville is scheduled for completion in nine months.

The new 39½-acre campus is being funded through the sale of the existing Blount County Center, 1010 Middlesettlements Road, Alcoa, contributions from both private individuals and businesses and $17.2 million from state funding.

The new campus will have two entrances, according to Don Shell, president of Community Techtonics, which designed the school. A total of 600 parking spaces will be available to students, staff and visitors, he said.

The current building is 70,000 square feet, Shell said. Officials are currently looking at several new items including a fountain, permanent pavers and an amphitheater for the site, he said.

The campus will have a 100-seat auditorium, manufacturing/technology area, art studio, nursing rooms, microbiology labs, and many other classrooms, Shell said. Physical education space and a game room will also be available, he said.

Officials are already creating the infrastructure for portable classrooms, Edwards said. "We know this building won't be big enough very soon."

Maryville City Schools officials and Pellissippi State officials met last week to discuss potential partnerships, said Maryville Assistant Director of Schools Mike Winstead. "There's some exciting opportunities here for the entire (student) population," he said, specifically mentioning the college's welding program.