ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Rowan-Cabarrus was proud to receive a donation of nearly three acres of land from Mr. David H. Murdock, chairman, CEO and president of Castle & Cooke, Inc. and NC Research Campus founder, to house the College’s future Advanced Technology Center (ATC).
“The ATC will be a flagship attracting employers to the region and allowing the College to bring a higher level of career and transfer education to the community, making our students more competitive for high-wage jobs,” said President Spalding. “Employment in advanced technology is constantly evolving and this facility will allow us continue to ensure that the local workforce remains qualified and current, key components of economic development.”
The new ATC, a 60,000-square-foot classroom and laboratory edifice, will be adjacent to the College’s biotechnology and nursing facility on the NC Research Campus (NCRC). The Advanced Technology Center will provide industry-recognized certifications, hands-on skills and customized training and support services to address the educational needs of companies with high technology demands and in emerging fields.
The concept for the ATC originated from interviews with experts in information technology, energy, manufacturing, construction and healthcare fields, along with conversations with other local colleges, economic development leaders and futurists from the local service region.
“We are working diligently to revolutionize our economic development environment and the ATC is one more piece of the puzzle we need at the NCRC,” said Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant. “By capitalizing on our partnerships with Mr. Murdock and Rowan-Cabarrus, we are developing more job and educational opportunities for people of all ages. We will now have the complete spectrum on the campus – research to cutting edge manufacturing. We cannot wait for the doors to open.”
Site of the future Advanced Technology Center on the North Carolina Research Campus, donated by Mr. David Murdock.
Funding for the ATC was approved by Cabarrus County residents in the 2014 Rowan-Cabarrus bond referendum with over 64 percent of the vote. The ATC is currently in the design phase and is expected to be completed in 2018.
Supporting advanced manufacturing is one goal of the ATC, but it’s not the only way the College is supporting the fastest growing industry in the area.
In addition to the funding from Cabarrus County and the land donation from David Murdock, the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation is supporting the ATC through private support, and the College is exploring grants and donations to provide equipment for the training. The College also plans to pursue partnerships with local and national suppliers for laboratories and programs.
“I sincerely thank David Murdock for generously providing land for the Advanced Technology Center on the NC Research Campus. The location will leverage the resources of the North Carolina Research Campus with the College’s history of workforce development to bring wonderful new opportunities to our region,” said Tom Bost, chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees Building & Ground Committee.