Biotechnology continues to be a growing field in North Carolina, and Vance-Granville Community College recently announced that it will get $1.75 million to help expand its own biotechnology workforce training program.
VGCC is included in a statewide consortium of colleges, universities and other strategic partners like the N.C. Biotechnology Center and the N.C. Community College System’s BioNetwork, which collectively received a grant award totaling nearly $25 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
The “NC BioBetter”project will provide grant funding to VGCC and nine other community colleges across the state, according to a press release from VGCC’s Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, VGCC vice president for Workforce & Community Engagement.
Stewart Lyon heads the school’s Bioprocess/Biotechnology program and said the funding will be used to buy new equipment for the current lab, which is located at the Franklin Campus,“so that students can get the up-to-date training they need,” Lyon said.
He said the program will create a second lab on campus so students can participate in day and evening courses.
“Vance-Granville Community College is delighted to be part of a coalition designed to increase access to good paying jobs in the Life Sciences sector,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “Working together with partners from government agencies, private industry, K-12 schools, other community colleges and universities, VGCC is excited to bring this spectacular vision to life in our region.”
But the grant also will provide funds to add positions for three years. “Specifically, we are looking to hire one additional full-time biotechnology instructor as well as a full-time ‘pathway navigator,’ who will be an intensive advisor for the program,” Lyon said. “The navigator will reach out to the community, help new students through the onboarding admissions process, provide academic advising and mentorship throughout the students’ time in the program, and finally help complete their journey with resume prep and job search assistance as they prepare to graduate.”
Lyon noted that this project is designed to increase the number of North Carolinians who are trained and ready to fill positions in the biopharmaceutical industry workforce, with a specific intent to expand opportunity to under-represented populations in that field, including women and people of color. “This is a significant focus, but everyone enrolled in the program will equally benefit from the resources of the grant, including the faculty and staff it provides,” he said.
VGCC enjoys strong partnerships, particularly in the Franklin County area, which are helping to promote biotech and life sciences.
The grant funding is expected to have a ripple effect into the larger community, from creating a partnership with Louisburg High School for a STEM focused pathway for students interested in programs like Medical Office Administrative Assistant, Bioprocess Technology, and Information Technology/Cyber Security Support.
The STEM magnet program will become available to high school students throughout Franklin County. “We’re very excited for this opportunity and believe this is a way to make Bioprocess Technology available to more students,” said Danyelle Parker, executive director of secondary education and CTE for Franklin County Schools.
“We hope to grow the program and incorporate work-based learning, such as field trips and job shadowing with area Bio/Life Sciences companies. With growing demands in this field, we believe Bioprocess Technology is an excellent career opportunity for our students, and we are thrilled to be partnering with VGCC for this endeavor.”
In the Bioprocess Technology credit (curriculum) program, VGCC offers a certificate, which can be completed in six months; a diploma program, which takes about one year, and the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. All these options are eligible for federal financial aid to qualified students. In addition, there is a BioWork Process Technician continuing education course offered periodically, in a format that takes less than one semester to complete. Prospective students can register now for “Bioprocess Practices” (BPM-110), which starts Jan. 6, 2023, in a hybrid format, combining some online coursework with in-person instruction at the Franklin Campus.
Anyone interested in becoming a biotechnology student is invited to contact Stewart Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or Veta Pierce-Cappetta at piercev@vgcc.edu.
Vance County’s Car Show
/by WIZS StaffTen blocks in downtown Henderson transformed – A gigantic combination parking lot and entertainment zone for car enthusiasts – The Show, Shine, Shag & Dine!
20th annual event – Vance County Tourism Director Pam Hester and a team of volunteers making it happen.
Race cars – Volunteer Danny Stanton said he is very pleased to be able to help with this aspect of the car show. “I’ve been a drag racer, a car guy, pretty much my whole life,” Stanton said. “We want to get the drag cars back involved,” he said.
No matter what type of car you prefer – Something for everyone at this year’s even – Free admission to the public – Folks strolling along Garnett Street and beyond to see everything from classic cars to drag racers to Corbitt trucks.
Corbitt Preservation Association – Vehicles on display located near the Corbitt Museum, which will be open on Saturday for visitors. The winner of the raffle prizes also will be announced during the car show awards.
Jeep Jam – Downtown retailer Gear & Beer – For all Jeep enthusiasts who want to drive their Jeeps in to the parking lot at the United Way office on South Garnett Street – Jeeps of any type welcome.
Kerr-Tar Reentry Roundtable Shares Resources For Justice-Involved
/by WIZS StaffThe Kerr-Tar Reentry Roundtable is hosting a regional reentry resource fair for justice-involved individuals on Wednesday, Oct.19, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Warren County Armory and Civic Center.
This event is sponsored by the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board, NC Works, New Start, and Warren County Community and Economic Development.
Regional organizations will be present and conducting outreach and education about their services, including resources on criminal record expungement, housing, transportation, food assistance, financial literary, mental and behavioral health and more.
The event is free to attend and open to all in the Kerr-Tar region of Warren, Vance, Franklin, Granville and Person counties. Justice-involved individuals may include those that have been formerly incarcerated and those involved with the court system, as well as their family members and friends.
All are encouraged to come out to learn more about the resources available in this region.
For more information, contact Sharon Thomas at 252.436.2040 or visit www.kerrtarworks.com.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 10-14-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
SportsTalk: Vipers To Celebrate Homecoming Against Granville Central; Listen Here
/by Bill HarrisLive Play by Play Friday Night at 1450AM / 100.1 FM / and by clicking Listen Live at WIZS.com (or click here https://player.listenlive.co/53101)
With only three games left on the regular season schedule, the Vance County Vipers are 5-2 heading into homecoming week this Friday night against an 0-6 Granville Central team. While it may look like a mismatch on paper Coach Aaron Elliott says that Vance County can’t take the night off. “We almost lost last year. They made it a close one,” Elliott said referring to a game the Vipers should have won easily. Elliott expects Granville Central will try to pressure quarterback Nazir Garrett in much the same way as South Granville did last week.
With homecoming also taking place Friday night, it’s a big game for the Vipers. “Most coaches will tell you they hate homecoming week,” Coach Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk. He said the opportunities for disruption can be a challenge but at the end of the day they have to go out and play a football game Friday night.
Ray Noel, Vance County Athletic Director, was also on Thursday’s SportsTalk and said there will be an expanded half time and more food than usual to accommodate the growing crowds. Food trucks will on site for Friday’s game and he encourages everyone to arrive early. Noel said at recent games the concession stand has been cleared out by the third quarter with nothing left to sell but cold drinks.
You can hear all of the action of Vance County Friday Night Football beginning at 6:50 tomorrow night with kickoff at 7pm here on WIZS.
GEF’s Annual SPELL-ebration Coming S-O-O-N
/by WIZS StaffJoin in the fun at the Granville Education Foundation’s annual SPELL-ebration on Thursday, Oct. 27. Whether you’re a stickler for correct spelling or whether you have trouble with c-a-t, this entertaining, no-pressure event pits three-member teams against each other to capture top honors for correctly spelling the most words.
If you get stumped, buy word coupons to spell your way to victory!
Businesses, schools, civic groups, church groups and others can form teams – and teams are encouraged to dress as characters from their favorite Disney movie, books or just for Halloween, according to information from GEF Director Jennifer Cufalo Carpenter.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the J.F. Webb High School gymnasium.
Admission is free for spectators and concessions will be available for purchase. There also will be a 50/50 raffle.
Sponsorships also are available. Whitco Bug Warriors and Masonic Home for Children in Oxford are event sponsors.
Find out more about becoming a sponsor or complete the registration at www.GranvilleEdFoundation.org or contact GEF at 919.693.7047 or by email at GranvilleEdFoundation@outlook.com
TownTalk: Edmonds Discusses Fire Prevention Week
/by Laura GabelAs part of the observance of the 100th annual Fire Prevention Week, Henderson Fire Department Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds stressed the importance of families having an escape plan that everyone in the household is aware of, in the event that of fire.
The theme for this year’s FPW is “Fire Won’t Wait – Plan Your Escape,” and Edmonds told John C. Rose on Thursday’s TownTalk that, on average, occupants have about two minutes to get out of a burning house.
That’s 120 seconds, folks. It’s not long.
“Have a drawn-out plan – write it out,” Edmonds said, “so that everybody in the house knows which ways are the best ways to get out of each room.”
Fire officials have traditionally responded to residents’ requests to replace their home’s smoke detectors, but the COVID-19 pandemic hindered their ability somewhat, Edmonds said. “We’re still doing our home inspection program,” he said, and now they are installing devices with a 20-year life span – no batteries to replace. When they reach the end of their life span, residents simply toss and replace.
Edmonds said it’s important to keep doors unblocked from the inside. “People think ‘I don’t need this door because I’ve got this other door,’” he said. But there should be multiple ways to escape in case of a fire.
“Always make sure that every exit in your home is accessible to get to,” he added.
Fire trucks respond to calls that often don’t involve a burning structure, whether it’s a car accident or a health emergency.
“When a citizen calls, we’re going to be there,” Edmonds said. “No matter what they call for, we’re going to be there.”
City of Henderson Fire Department wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Henderson, contact the City of Henderson Fire Department at 252-430-1877 or thomasedmonds@henderson.nc.gov.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.
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The Local Skinny! Advance Auto Partners With Henderson Police
/by WIZS StaffIt may have happened to you before: You’re driving down the street, trying to get from here to there, when you see the blue light in your rear-view mirror, accompanied by the woop-woop of the police car, telling you to pull over.
Such encounters with the police for minor infractions like broken taillights or burned-out headlights could end with the driver being issued a $25 gift card instead of a citation.
That’s exactly what could happen, thanks to a new safety initiative announced Thursday at the local Advance Auto Parts on Raleigh Road.
Advance District Manager Jay Matthews wanted to do something special for Henderson, which has two stores – one at 390 Raleigh Road and one at 400 Prosperity Drive.
Drivers who get pulled over for faulty equipment – think broken or non-functioning lights, for example – will get a $25 Advance Auto Parts gift card to help pay for repairs from Henderson police officers, as a way to encourage them to make those minor repairs.
The program is the only one of its kind in the area, and it’s designed “to increase roadway safety for local motorists,” according to a press statement issued Thursday morning.
Advance’s store team presented Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Henderson police officers with an Advance gift card donation of $1,500 to begin the initiative. “Our local team is thrilled to partner with Henderson Police to promote safer vehicle operations,” Matthews, a Henderson resident, said. “It’s important that motorists on our streets keep vehicle safety top of mind, especially as we’re heading into holiday travel season. We look forward to working with Chief Barrow and everyone on his team on this program while serving our community.”
Barrow said he appreciates community partnerships like this one with Advance.
“Partnerships with a committed community stakeholder like Advance Auto Parts are vital to our success as an agency,” Barrow said. “This partnership will allow us to lessen a financial burden on our citizens and increase vehicular safety, and we thank Jay and everyone at Advance for their support.”
Motorists receiving a gift card may use the card at Advance’s two Henderson locations, throughout North Carolina or online at advanceautoparts.com.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 10-13-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: Supporting Farmers
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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$1.75M Grant To Expand VGCC Biotech Program At Franklin Campus
/by WIZS StaffBiotechnology continues to be a growing field in North Carolina, and Vance-Granville Community College recently announced that it will get $1.75 million to help expand its own biotechnology workforce training program.
VGCC is included in a statewide consortium of colleges, universities and other strategic partners like the N.C. Biotechnology Center and the N.C. Community College System’s BioNetwork, which collectively received a grant award totaling nearly $25 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
The “NC BioBetter”project will provide grant funding to VGCC and nine other community colleges across the state, according to a press release from VGCC’s Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, VGCC vice president for Workforce & Community Engagement.
Stewart Lyon heads the school’s Bioprocess/Biotechnology program and said the funding will be used to buy new equipment for the current lab, which is located at the Franklin Campus,“so that students can get the up-to-date training they need,” Lyon said.
He said the program will create a second lab on campus so students can participate in day and evening courses.
“Vance-Granville Community College is delighted to be part of a coalition designed to increase access to good paying jobs in the Life Sciences sector,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “Working together with partners from government agencies, private industry, K-12 schools, other community colleges and universities, VGCC is excited to bring this spectacular vision to life in our region.”
But the grant also will provide funds to add positions for three years. “Specifically, we are looking to hire one additional full-time biotechnology instructor as well as a full-time ‘pathway navigator,’ who will be an intensive advisor for the program,” Lyon said. “The navigator will reach out to the community, help new students through the onboarding admissions process, provide academic advising and mentorship throughout the students’ time in the program, and finally help complete their journey with resume prep and job search assistance as they prepare to graduate.”
Lyon noted that this project is designed to increase the number of North Carolinians who are trained and ready to fill positions in the biopharmaceutical industry workforce, with a specific intent to expand opportunity to under-represented populations in that field, including women and people of color. “This is a significant focus, but everyone enrolled in the program will equally benefit from the resources of the grant, including the faculty and staff it provides,” he said.
VGCC enjoys strong partnerships, particularly in the Franklin County area, which are helping to promote biotech and life sciences.
The grant funding is expected to have a ripple effect into the larger community, from creating a partnership with Louisburg High School for a STEM focused pathway for students interested in programs like Medical Office Administrative Assistant, Bioprocess Technology, and Information Technology/Cyber Security Support.
The STEM magnet program will become available to high school students throughout Franklin County. “We’re very excited for this opportunity and believe this is a way to make Bioprocess Technology available to more students,” said Danyelle Parker, executive director of secondary education and CTE for Franklin County Schools.
“We hope to grow the program and incorporate work-based learning, such as field trips and job shadowing with area Bio/Life Sciences companies. With growing demands in this field, we believe Bioprocess Technology is an excellent career opportunity for our students, and we are thrilled to be partnering with VGCC for this endeavor.”
In the Bioprocess Technology credit (curriculum) program, VGCC offers a certificate, which can be completed in six months; a diploma program, which takes about one year, and the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. All these options are eligible for federal financial aid to qualified students. In addition, there is a BioWork Process Technician continuing education course offered periodically, in a format that takes less than one semester to complete. Prospective students can register now for “Bioprocess Practices” (BPM-110), which starts Jan. 6, 2023, in a hybrid format, combining some online coursework with in-person instruction at the Franklin Campus.
Anyone interested in becoming a biotechnology student is invited to contact Stewart Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or Veta Pierce-Cappetta at piercev@vgcc.edu.