The Venice center was opened in 1977 by MJC's Board of Trustees. During this period, the center's functions were funded by the donations of residents living in the surrounding communities which included Venice, North Port, and Englewood. It was not until 1983 that the college received an appropriation from the Florida Legislature to expand the Venice center into a full-service Venice campus. It was dedicated on March 30, 1985, and the college's name was changed that year to Manatee Community College (MCC). The Venice campus lake is nicknamed Lake Jervey and dedicated to Dr. Bill Jervey, Jr for his outstanding contributions to the college.