Print
Government

UNCW, Community Colleges Eye Connect NC-funded Projects

By Jenny Callison, posted Mar 16, 2016
After discussing the passage of Connect NC, UNCW chancellor Jose Sartarelli talks with high school students touring campus. (Photo by Jenny Callison)
Update: This version of the story contains a statement received Thursday morning from Amanda Lee, president of Cape Fear Community College.

Officials at University of North Carolina Wilmington were upbeat Wednesday following the passage of the $2 billion Connect NC bond referendum Tuesday. UNCW will receive $66 million of bond funds for a new facility.

Funds from the bond will also benefit the other UNC system institutions and the state's community colleges, while also making improvements at state parks and the N.C. Zoo, among other infrastructure projects.

“By voting for this bond, our citizens have affirmed North Carolina's long-held belief in the transformative power of higher education,” University of North Carolina Wilmington chancellor Jose Sartarelli said in a prepared statement Wednesday morning, in which he expressed his thanks to voters. “In addition to the tremendous impact this will have on UNCW's ability to provide health care instruction as well as additional resources for our military population, the bond will help power continued economic growth for our region and ensure better lives for current and future citizens.”

Statewide, Connect NC passed 65.5 percent to 34.4 percent, the N.C. Board of Elections website reported. The results were narrower in this area, however, with Pender County voters defeating the referendum 55 percent to 45 percent.
 
In Brunswick County, the bond referendum passed by about 57 percent to 43 percent. And in New Hanover County the margin was narrower: about 55 percent for the bond to about 45 against.

Opponents of the referendum had said they feared the bond would raise taxes, despite proponents' assurances to the contrary. Others did not support it because it did not include the statewide transportation improvements included in the original $3 billion bond package.
 
At UNCW, its funds allotment will be used to build a 165,000-square-foot facility, the third of four that will anchor the Health Sciences quadrangle. This is the largest state investment in a single facility at UNCW ever, the chancellor said.
 
The new building will house academic programs in the College of Health and Human Services and related offices and learning centers that are “critical to UNCW’s ability to produce more health and human services professionals,” university spokeswoman Janine Iamunno said last September.
 
UNCW plans to move quickly on plans for the facility, now that the bond has passed, Sartarelli said Wednesday morning.

“If we are very efficient, we could possibly break ground in 2017,” he said in an interview. “That would be perfect, as we celebrate our 70th anniversary next year.”
 
Brunswick Community College will use the nearly $3 million it receives from the bond issue to renovate and repurpose existing facilities, college spokeswoman London Schmidt said Wednesday. 

"The college is pleased that the Connect NC Bond passed," she said. "Both the college and the [BCC] foundation had signed a resolution in favor of the bond. The college will be using bond funds to repurpose space for Allied Health and to update Science and Welding Labs. This follows the College Facilities Strategic Plan."

BCC president Susanne Adams was part of a panel that joined Gov. Pat McCrory at UNCW to advocate for the referendum last Wednesday.
 
Connect NC will provide almost $6 million for Cape Fear Community College and will be used to repair and renovate some of the college's older facilities, CFCC spokesman David Hardin said in September. College president Amanda Lee released a statement Thursday morning (March 17).

"The passing of this important legislation will have a lasting impact on our students as well as on our community," she said in the statement. "By approving the Connect NC Bond, North Carolina voters have demonstrated their continued support for education in our state. I look forward to working with our Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees to determine how we will utilize these funds to further our mission of providing world-class educational experiences and job training opportunities for students and businesses in the Cape Fear region."
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Web awstaffpic2020 1 132245438

The 2024 Luncheon for Literacy featuring Special Guest Jason Mott

Alesha Edison Westbrook - Cape Fear Literacy Council
Untitleddesign7

Mastering ARC Applications: Best Practices for HOA Board Members

Dave Orr - Community Association Management Services
2022052 75 142344351

Bridging Futures: The Case for Toll Funding in Wilmington’s Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Revamp

Natalie English - Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

Trending News

Beverage Manufacturer To Occupy Former Tru Colors Facility In Wilmington

Audrey Elsberry - May 6, 2024

Wilmington Leaders To Consider Skyline Center Lease, Debt Payment

Emma Dill - May 6, 2024

In The Current Issue

CEA Technology Winner: UNCW Grad Hooks Catchy Idea

Landon Hill's Local Catch app looks to streamline communication between stakeholders in the local fishing and seafood industry....


Providing Makerspaces, Craft Places

Whether community members want to paint a mug or build an invention, local entrepreneurs have created spaces where people can access the nee...


CEA Health Care Winner: Tech Helps Fight Fatal Infection

The intersection of medicine and technology sits at the core of Morris Nguyen's biotech startup, Predicate Healthcare Performance Group (HPG...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season