A statewide audience was on the RELLIS campus Wednesday to participate in the grand opening of the first academic building of the partnership with Blinn College and ten Texas A&M system institutions.

System chancellor John Sharp says the students are the best thing about the $42 million dollar building.

Blinn chancellor Mary Hensley says their branch campus, located across the street, was projected to start last year with 500 students. Enrollment exceeded 1,500, and so far this semester's enrollment is nearly 2,600.

Blinn's health science program occupies two of the three floors of the new building.

Developer Hunter Goodwin, who chairs the RELLIS external advisory committee, says local business owners will be asked to make a financial investment as they will received the benefit of students going through academic and workforce education programs.

The three story building contains ten classrooms, biology labs, research labs, instructional and simulation labs, more than 60 faculty offices, and support space for student advising and mentoring.