March 6.  As part of a statewide infrastructure bond slated to come before voters on March 15, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College would receive $7.2 million to upgrade facilities and grow the college’s fire and emergency services training facility.

Governor Pat McCrory signed a bill that will allow voters to decide on the passage of the 2016 Connect NC Bond Act that will fund higher education, parks, agricultural initiatives, National Guard and water and sewer projects.

North Carolina community colleges would receive $350 million of the nearly $2 billion bond, with a portion of the funds going to all 58 colleges.  Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is set to receive $7.2 million of those funds to upgrade and construct facilities to offer state-of-the-art learning experiences for the citizens of Cabarrus and Rowan Counties.  These enhancements will help Rowan-Cabarrus continue to train the local workforce to meet employer demands.

“Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has been continuously working on much-needed renovations over the last few years.  In order to educate and train our students for the demanding opportunities available in today’s high-tech job market, we must update some of our existing facilities,” said Dr. Carol Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.  “This bond would not only benefit our students, but it will benefit our local businesses and communities as a whole.”

If the bond passes, the college plans to use about $3.2 million on renovations to North Campus buildings.

The college would also dedicate an additional $1 million for Phase II of the fire and emergency services training facility, including building a five-story fire training tower, a law enforcement and emergency services tactical training center, an outdoor classroom shelter, and modern restroom facilities.  The college’s fire training programs have grown 13 percent between 2012 and 2014.

“We realize the enormous importance of the public safety officials who protect our community and keep us safe every day.  Ensuring that they receive high-quality training is of the utmost importance,” said Spalding.

The first bond-funded project to be completed following a 2010 Rowan County bond referendum, the fire and emergency services training facility has been heavily utilized by public safety providers in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties.

“The value added to fire, emergency and law enforcement agencies through funding of this project is clear—ready access to state-of-the-art facilities to support ongoing training of current agency personnel and new recruits to feed increasing demand,” said Spalding.

In Cabarrus County, the college would allocate another $3 million toward expansions to the South Campus and Cabarrus Business and Technology Center facilities, including the remodeling of the South Campus student center and property for future campus expansions.

“The passing of this bond would mean significant savings to the people of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties,” said Trustee Dakeita Vanderburg-Johnson, who is co-chairing the college’s local support for the bond effort.  “The bond would fund ongoing, much-needed improvements for the college that may otherwise have to come out of the budgets of both counties.”