RCCC to sign lease with N.C. Research Campus soon

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS—After a lengthy delay, the piece of the N.C. Research Campus puzzle that's most crucial for local residents appears to be falling into place.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College should sign a lease this week with the Research Campus and break ground for building at the biotechnology complex in the coming weeks.

"I'm truly grateful. I'm very pleased," said N.C. Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus. "It is a critical component of the ongoing development of not just the campus but the community."

College officials estimate that for every Ph.D. or MD position created by the Research Campus, at least five other positions will be created that could be filled by RCCC graduates.

"In terms of facilities, this is the one that's closest to residents and will be of the most assistance," Hartsell said.

RCCC will sign a lease-to-own agreement with campus developer Castle & Cooke North Carolina for a 62,332 square-foot building, which will house the college's new biotechnology programs.

Castle & Cooke will construct the $26 million building. RCCC will lease it for 20 years. The state will provide about $3 million a year to for leasing and operations.

The developer and college had planned to break ground last year, but the economic downturn stalled several construction projects at the Research Campus.

The college plans to hold classes in the new building in fall 2010.

"We are excited to provide the training programs needed for the jobs of the future," Ray Paradowski, chairman of the college's Board of Trustees, said in a statement. "It's important our local residents have an avenue to the career opportunities the NCRC is creating."

The N.C. State Board of Community Colleges gave approval for the lease last week.

"With the current economic conditions North Carolina is facing, this is a positive statement by the state board and an indication of its confidence in RCCC to meet the education and job-training needs of residents and the developing biotechnology industry in Cabarrus and Rowan counties," RCCC President Carol Spalding said in a statement.

Spalding told the college's Board of Trustees on Monday that RCCC is resolving some final details with Castle & Cooke. Once the agreement is signed, Castle & Cooke will work with its lender, who will have 15 days to approve the deal.

Students can begin taking introductory courses this summer in RCCC's biotechnology programs. The college will offer two-year associate degrees in biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology.

Graduates can pursue work as lab technicians, research assistants, quality control associates.

To learn more about RCCC's biotech programs, call 704-704-216-7214 or visit www.rowancabarrus.edu/biotechnology/.