Alamance Community College has been awarded a $1.1 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help purchase high-tech equipment that will provide crucial training for students and workers in biotechnology-related programs.
The equipment will be used to train not only ACC students but also current workers in the medical, health care and bio-agriculture industries. Valued at $1.15 million, the advanced training equipment will eventually be housed in ACC’s Biotechnology Center of Excellence, a $17.4 million facility scheduled to begin construction this month and open in fall 2022. The purchase includes 10 highly advanced pieces of equipment.
ACC President Algie Gatewood said the total equipment needs for the new center are estimated at approximately $5 million. “We welcome gifts for this excellent facility from all our community partners because their contributions will enhance the important training that will happen inside those walls,” he said.
The EDA-funded equipment and subsequent training will generate new high-paying jobs and encourage private investment. The project will also focus on expanding workforce opportunities, economic mobility and resilient economies within the Alamance County region.
Area health care professionals will have access to the equipment to provide ongoing training for employees and will better prepare Alamance County workers to be more resilient and well-equipped for emerging markets in the health care, medical testing, agriculture and biomanufacturing industries.
The equipment will bolster educational opportunities for students in biotechnology, histotechnology, medical laboratory technology, and agricultural biotechnology. Labcorp, a leading global life sciences company and major employer in Alamance County, and Cone Health Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington have each committed to creating new jobs in support of the EDA grant.
“The grant we received from the Economic Development Administration is such an important and crucial gift to our college because it will make a difference in our training methodology for not only our students who are embarking on high-paying science and health care careers, but for our industry partners,” Gatewood said. “The reason behind every square inch of this new facility, and the technical equipment to be installed, all comes down to addressing the issues of workforce and economic development in Alamance County.”
