Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
KANNAPOLIS ó A groundbreaking ceremony this morning served as the symbolic start of construction of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) building at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC).
The 62,332 square-foot biotechnology facility has been described by many as a tangible link for local residents to opportunities on the research campus.
With the building’s footings already poured, officials and representatives of the NCRC, RCCC and the Sate of North Carolina expressed pride, enthusiasm and optimism at the ceremony.
The building will be the home of RCCC’s two associate degree programs in biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology and continuing education programs related to biotechnology and clinical research. These programs and others RCCC will develop will prepare local residents to meet many of the NCRC’s future workforce needs.
“For every Ph.D. or MD position created by the NCRC, at least five other positions will be created for which RCCC can provide the needed education and training,” said RCCC President Carol Spalding. “RCCC’s biotechnology and other programs will provide access to local residents for career opportunities at the NCRC. These programs also will offer transferable credits for students who decide to pursue a four-year degree.”
RCCC’s building at the NCRC building will include multiple science and computer laboratories and multiple classrooms with a full array of technology. RCCC hopes to open the building in time for its fall 2010 semester, with the focus of providing instructional space for hands-on biotechnology training in a realistic research and development setting.
The cost of the building is expected to be approximately $26 million. Gov. Beverly Perdue’s proposed state budget includes $3.3 million for RCCC in annual funding to cover the NCRC building’s lease and some operating expenses.
In addition to Spalding, those taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony included David H. Murdock, owner and chairman of Dole Food Co., and the creator of the NCRC; N.C. Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton; N.C. Sen. Fletcher Hartsell Jr.; R. Scott Ralls, president of the N.C. Community College System; Lynne Scott Safrit, president of Atlantic American Properties and the North American Commercial Division of Castle and Cooke Inc.; Kannapolis Mayor Robert Misenheimer; and Ray Paradowski, chairman of the RCCC Board of Trustees.