MT. VERNON, Ill. (Aug. 7, 2013) - Twelve years after Rend Lake College acquired the MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon, an open house will be held at the venue to mark the significant addition to the RLC community. The event is set for 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.
The RLC programs participating in the open house include the college’s cosmetology program, Studio RLC; the RLC Fitness Center; the Child Care Resource and Referral program Project CHILD; and the Adult Education and Literacy program, all of which call the MarketPlace home.
Marketplace retailers such as Shoe Stop and the college-owned RLC Golf Outlet are also expected to take part in the open house. Look for special promotions and pricing from retailers on this day to celebrate 12 years at the MarketPlace.
The MarketPlace is also home to an expanding array of educational classrooms for students attending RLC, Southern Illinois University and McKendree University. The entirety of the MarketPlace owned by RLC will be open for tours, including the classrooms.
In addition to classroom space and computer facilities and the Cosmetology program, the MarketPlace now houses the Certified Nurse Assistant Training Center, EMT-Paramedic Training Center, the American Heart Association Training Center, several retail stores (including the RLC Golf Outlet) and a steakhouse. Partnerships with four-year institutions also allow students to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees and higher certifications on-site.
Also housed here are the state Departments of Human Services and Employment Security, Office of Rehabilitation Services, Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Man-Tra-Con Corp. and Crosswalk. In addition are an employment agency and conference rooms.
The facility was created when college administrators saw potential in a near-bankrupt former outlet mall located just off of the Interstate 57 / 64 interchange.
More details will be announced soon. For more information, contact Corey Phillips, RLC MarketPlace Director, at 618-242-3001.