It’s been a few years in the making, but a contingent of local officials joined Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and others Wednesday afternoon to celebrate a facility – yet to be built – that will support future training needs for existing and prospective industry.
VGCC is getting $11.5 million in the newly passed state budget, and N.C. Rep Frank Sossamon (R-Dist. 32) provided key support in getting the funding for his district, which in cludes Vance and most of Granville counties. Sossamon was among those present Wednesday at the Triangle North Industrial Park, located in Granville County off U.S. 158 near I-85.
According to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel, 15 acres on the campus of the business park have been set aside for construction of the facility, the result of a collaboration among Granville County Economic Development, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments and the Triangle North board.
In her remarks at the event, Desmarais said the Triangle North Business Park represents a true collaboration among a cross-section of agencies, and it’s something that attracted her to the area. “I saw collaboration that I hadn’t seen before,” she said. “Today’s announcement is very important, for the people of Granville County and Vance County and the entire service area” the college supports.
No dates have been released for when work will begin, but this could well be the first to locate in the park. That fits in with Desmarais’s vision for VGCC to be a catalyst to build strong communities.
“Workforce development plus economic development equals regional prosperity,” Desmarais said.
The facility will support industry training needs in the areas of industrial maintenance, mechatronics, electronics, welding, and fabrication; serve as an advanced manufacturing company recruitment benefit; and support collaborative high school and college career and technical education partnerships. An investment of this magnitude will send a powerful message to current and future manufacturing stakeholders that our region values the manufacturing sector, supports growth and innovation, and increases employee value.
Abdul Rasheed, vice-chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, talked about the impact the facility will have on the community.
“Doing this kind of investment begins to shape the kind of jobs, the kind of salaries, the kind of quality of life that we want for ourselves,” Rasheed said. “And that is very, very exciting to me.”
Granville County Board of Commissioners Chairman Russ May echoed sentiments from other speakers. This state funding makes possible the “beginning of some really great things for this community,” May said. “This is a start for much bigger and greater things for Granville and for Vance counties,” he said.
Additional construction funding will come from Granville County and from VGCC’s Board of Trustees.