Cape Fear Community College has opened a branch of the N.C. Military Business Center at its downtown campus, according to a news release.

The branch, inside the Union Station building in room 537, offers business development services for firms in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties.

Donna Warren leads the CFCC location of the NCMBC, which is a business development entity of the state community college system that provides federal business development resources and services. The office at CFCC is one of 12 such branches across the state.

“We’re excited to offer this unique resource at Cape Fear Community College,” said CFCC President Jim Morton, in the release. “Our local businesses play an essential role in the development and well-being of our region and we are delighted to support them in every way we can.”

Warren, who recently joined the center as a business development professional, provides one-on-one assistance to help businesses compete for federal contracts. She focuses on educating business clients about local, state and federal contracting, according to the release.

Warren (right) will also monitor contract opportunities from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Cyber Command, Army Contracting Command, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and other cybersecurity and information technology-related agencies, stated the release.

Warren was previously the Procurement Technical Assistance Center counselor co-located with the Small Business & Technology Development Center – Wilmington, serving six counties including Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.

She has a Defense Acquisition University Level III certification in contracting, Level II certification in purchasing, and is certified in information technology and program management, stated the release.

Warren brings more than 36 years of experience as a contracting professional in the Department of the Treasury and with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and in private industry with two Fortune 500 companies, stated the release.

"The business development team is the heart of the NCMBC,” said Scott Dorney, NCMBC executive director, in the release. “Donna’s experience as a contracting officer with the Department of Treasury and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency will equip her to provide invaluable assistance to North Carolina businesses in winning and successfully executing federal contracts.”