Rowan-Cabarrus Breaks Ground at NCRC

The academic and company laboratories in and around the North Carolina Research Campus will need workers trained in a range of specific techniques.

Enter Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, which today broke ground on a 62,000-square-foot training facility. The community turned out in force for the ceremony, two blocks from the Research Campus' famed core-laboratory facility.

"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.

These laboratory technicians, research assistants and quality control associates will train in this new building. Their skills will apply to biological, chemical and agricultural technology positions.

The focus on education is important to the Research Campus' visionary, David Murdock. Though he himself has only a 9th grade formal education, he has always aspired to learn more.

Researchers from nine universities have begun to unlock the secrets of longevity at the Research Campus. The cutting-edge health and nutrition center is solidifying the place of an old textile town in the state's new economy.

"Business, science and education are coming together at a critical time in our history, and the partnerships forged on this campus will help realize our economic vision for the region and the state," said North Carolina's Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton.

The footings for the building are in place, and the completed facility will include classrooms as well as hands-on science laboratories. RCCC hopes to open the building in time for its fall 2010 semester.

Read coverage from the Salisbury Post and LocalTechWire.

Jennifer Coook from the Charlotte office contributed to this report.