The U.S. Department of Commerce will provide $2 million for a planned resort and hospitality training center at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s campus in Gulfport.

U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., says the funds will help in construction of the 50,000-square-foot center. The total cost of the project is expected to be $9.98 million.

Once opened, the center is expected to offer programs in hospitality tourism management, business and marketing management technology, culinary arts, and potentially health and spa technologies.

The center is scheduled to open for the 2010-2011 school year.

Other funding is coming from MGCCC Capital Improvement Fund and from state and local governments.