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PILOT MOUNTAIN, N.C. -- For decades, the old Amos and Smith Hosiery Mill provided jobs to textile workers. Now, it will provide training to people in Pilot Mountain and surrounding communities.

"It brings a whole new economy to Pilot Mountain. To have a satellite campus here and hopefully we are looking forward to having 800 or more people come through this facility," said Mayor Earl Sheppard. "So it's a real economic boom."

The Pilot Center is one of two new Centers for Learning Education and Retraining.

"It's a great opportunity for us and we jumped at it and are very happy with it," said Sheppard.

The Golden Leaf Foundation awarded $500,000 to the town of Pilot Mountain to renovate the historic building. The foundation also awarded $800,000 to Surry Community College for operating costs of the Pilot Center and a new center in Elkin that's scheduled to open in the fall.

Leaders from Surry Community College hope that the new CLEAR Center will motivate people in the town of Pilot Mountain to continue their education. They're offering a wide variety of classes including CNA certification, ESL, GED and even ballroom dancing.

"Most of the time when people get in the environment they love it, no matter what age they are," said Denise Brown with Surry Community College. "We have a lot of nontraditional learners."

The campus will also offer a number of courses and training programs similar to those being offered at campuses in Dobson, Yadkinville and Mount Airy.

"The college is expanding," said Greg Smith. "It has grown quite a bit over the years as to the demand of the public and the loss of jobs has really fueled the enrollment at the college."

Many of the classes being offered at the new Pilot Center are at no cost. There are also tuition waivers for dislocated workers, people who are unemployed and people who meet certain income guidelines.

For more information on classes at the Pilot Center of Surry Community College, call (336) 444-8012.