Bond referendum passes easily, paving way for RCCC program expansions

Published 11:30 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2020

By Carl Blankenship
carl.blankenship@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY – Voters on Tuesday said “yes” to a $45 million bond referendum that will provide funding Rowan-Cabarrus Community College needs to expand several of its programs and build a complex of new buildings.

At 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and with just one precinct not reported, the referendum was well on its way to passage with 14,207 people (57.33%) voting “yes.” A total of 10,572 people (42.67%) voted “no.”

RCCC President Carol Spalding said the college is “thrilled” and will be thanking a lot of people.

Spalding said she is not surprised the referendum passed, adding the community college represents the best investment anybody can make. Spalding said she was disappointed it did not pass by an even wider margin.

The bond issue will pay for a new facility for Rowan County Early College and new automotive, welding and CNC machining space as well as a fire decontamination facility. It is projected to result in a 3-cent property tax increase. The current county property tax is 65.75 cents per $100 of valuation. The debt will be paid over 15 years.

Next, RCCC will be hire an architect, work with county government on the project and navigate the state approval process for the new projects. There is no timeline for the projects, but Spalding said the college wants to get underway as soon as possible.

“I want to say a humble thank you to the voters in Rowan County who had the foresight to pass this important bond referendum. By doing so, they have spoken in favor of economic progress for the county and the chance for themselves, their friends and their neighbors to enjoy a better quality of life and richer opportunities for success,” said RCCC Board of Trustees Chair Chip Short.

Spalding said she couldn’t say enough complimentary things about students who donated time and money to the campaign for the issue. The Student Government Association at RCCC committed 200 service hours and $45,000 to supporting the referendum. That’s despite the fact that existing students will probably not see the results of the bond until after they have graduated.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Rowan County voters today. This is a red-letter day in the life of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College,” Spalding said.. “With the passage of this historic bond referendum, we will be able to continue to fulfill our mission to change lives by giving people the opportunity to reach their dreams. My personal appreciation goes out to every single person who contributed to this important step forward.”

If the issue had not passed, Short and Spalding have said the college’s programs would have remained as is, with no improvement. That, Short said, could lead to loss of industries coming to the county.

About Carl Blankenship

Carl Blankenship has covered education for the Post since December 2019. Before coming to Salisbury he was a staff writer for The Avery Journal-Times in Newland and graduated from Appalachian State University in 2017, where he was editor of The Appalachian.

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