Vance-Granville Community College to build new advanced manufacturing center
A new center for advanced manufacturing and applied technology is in the works in Granville County.
A large chunk of the funding comes from the state budget. $11.5 million was allocated to Vance-Granville Community College to build the center. In addition to that, the college’s board of trustees is providing $1.8 million and Granville County is providing $1.2 million. That brings the total to $14.5 million.
Currently, the college system has advanced manufacturing-related programming at both its main campus in Henderson and its south campus in Creedmoor. The new facility allows the college to consolidate its labs into one location. The oldest labs were built in the 1960s.
“They’re in really desperate need for an upgrade,” said David Bullock.
Bullock is the department chair for applied technologies and department head of the mechatronic engineering programs. He said the new facility is a worthy investment that will better prepare students for jobs in the rapidly-evolving manufacturing sector.
“The students will get the opportunity to train, not only on new equipment, but the newest technology,” Bullock said.
Right now, the college is in the design phase, according to school officials. When finished, the center will be 40,000-to-60,000 square feet. Granville County Economic Development, the Triangle North Board, and Kerr-Tar Council of Governments have joined to set aside 15 acres in the Triangle North Granville business park for the project near Interstate 85. It may be the first building in the park.
“Granville County is certainly on the map,” said Sen. Mary Wills Bode, NC-18, in a new release.
“This is a real testament to all of us growing in the same direction and delivering for a very deserving [region].”
Corey White is a second-year student. He told WRAL it will take him four years to graduate since he also works 20 hours a week. He decided to go back to school, he said, with the hopes of taking his career to the next level.
“I want to get into the robotic industry,” he said. “It comes down to what [jobs are] requiring. That’s why I went after this [degree]. I know where the technology is going: more things are becoming automated.”
White said this new facility will make sure he gets the training he needs.
“When you get your hands into doing stuff, it becomes, not just watching a video, you’re actually doing it,” he said.
The college has additional goals for the space, like working with K-12 school systems to show what technical careers can offer. Students will also have the opportunity to enroll in short-term training programs; some may be customized for individual companies.
Bullock said roughly 200 to 300 students will use the new facility. Ultimately, he says, it will encourage new companies to consider Granville County to set up shop.
“Once new industries look to move into this area, they’re going to see the commitment that all these institutions have put forth in supporting the manufacturing, trades and technology industries,” he said.
The center is expected to be up and running in about two years. The state budget also allocates $3 million to a separate project: a transportation center in Warren County.
