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Technology Building at VGCC ready; biotech focus

By CAREY JOHNSON
FRANKLIN TIMES Staff Writer

HENDERSON – Vance-Granville Community College officials on Thursday took the veil off a technology-based wonder that is the biggest building on their four campuses.

The dedication ceremony came with hints of expansions at its Franklin County campus, too.
Officials said that in late spring or early summer, construction could begin on a new building in Franklin County.

College President Robert Miller said the addition would allow more space for information technology systems and more space to accommodate the college’s growing student body.

Franklin County Commissioner Dr. Raymond Stone, who attended the building dedication in Henderson, said additions to educational opportunities in Franklin County help the area prepare for business and economic growth in the county and in surrounding areas – particularly opportunities within and created by the Research Triangle Park.

“I was excited to hear about (the Franklin County campus expansion) because to meet the needs of the workforce, it may well mean we have to beef up our technological facilities at our Franklin County campus,” Stone said. “They are now training a lot of biotechnology students and Novozymes is right at the thrust of biotechnology.

“We have to beef up (educational opportunities) to accommodate the growth in the biotechnology field.”
However, it was Building 7 on VGCC’s main campus in Henderson that was on display Thursday.
The 52,000 square-foot, three-story building is equipped to handle technology training, occupational studies and basic skills teaching.

The $4.4 million building was paid for using monies that came through a $17.1 million Higher Education Facilities bond approved in 2000.

On the first floor, the building has computer labs, a small business library, a nursing assistant lab and plenty of office space.

The second floor has an information systems lab, a jailer/law enforcement classroom and a number of other educational rooms.

The third floor has an open computer lab, and internet technology lab and other computer rooms.
The building has more than 500 computers.

Before the move into the building, the campus had only four information systems labs, with just over 2,000 square feet. Now, there are eight labs with more than 6,400 square feet.

“We are extremely proud of this building,” said VGCC Trustee J. David Brooks. “It is a visible sign of the progress that this school is making and, more importantly, it will be a major factor in helping Vance-Granville continue to grow.”