SALISBURY, N.C. – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to celebrate the start of construction on its new Technology Education Complex at the College’s North Campus in Salisbury. This flagship facility at North Campus represents more than bricks and mortar. It represents opportunity, higher wages and a pathway to prosperity for every resident of Rowan County, while expanding workforce training capacity to support the region’s growing economy.
Speakers at the groundbreaking event included Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees Chair Cyndie Mynatt, President Dr. Carol S. Spalding, Rowan County Commission Chair Greg Edds, and Rowan-Cabarrus alumna and Welding faculty member Mira White. The event also welcomed elected officials, trustees, industry partners and community members to mark the milestone.
“This building stands as a promise to our community,” said Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol S. Spalding. “The Technology Education Complex expands opportunity, prepares residents for high-wage, in-demand careers, and strengthens Rowan County’s ability to compete and prosper in a rapidly changing economy.”
The Technology Education Complex, scheduled for completion in summer 2027, will expand high-demand programs in advanced manufacturing, engineering technologies, information technology and the skilled trades. The facility will include 43 welding stations, nearly doubling current welding capacity at North Campus, four instructional classrooms, a machining and fabrication lab, a welding robotics lab, a CNC plasma cutting lab, and a state-of-the-art metrology lab dedicated to precision measurement.
“As a Board of Trustees, we are charged with looking ahead,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees Chair Cyndie Mynatt. “We examine emerging industries and workforce needs to ensure the College responds effectively. The Technology Education Complex reflects bold planning and a shared commitment to keeping Rowan County competitive and growing. We are excited about the momentum this project brings and the opportunities it will create for generations to come.”
Employers across the region continue to cite access to skilled talent as a key factor in business growth and expansion. As the sixth-largest community college in North Carolina and the third-largest workforce training provider in the state through corporate and continuing education offerings, Rowan-Cabarrus plays a critical role in supporting industry needs by offering customized training, industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships and work-based learning partnerships.
“Rowan County is proud to partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as we invest in the future of our workforce,” said Chair of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners Greg Edds. “The County Commission strongly supported the bond initiative for the Technology Education Complex because we know these kinds of projects create real opportunities for our citizens, attract high-paying jobs, and strengthen our local economy right here in Rowan County.”
Each semester, the College’s Welding program enrolls more than 300 students, with additional qualified students placed on a waitlist due to space limitations. The approximately 40,200-square-foot facility will significantly expand instructional capacity and is designed with industry-style lab configurations that support applied learning, efficient workflow and expanded student access. The layout mirrors modern manufacturing environments, allowing students to train in spaces that reflect current industry standards.
“We have talented individuals ready to learn and ready to work, and this expansion means we can say yes to more of them,” said Rowan-Cabarrus faculty member and alumna Mira White. “This College gave me the opportunity to grow from a student into an instructor, and this building represents that same pathway for others. It represents growth, investment and futures built not only with skilled hands, but with confidence and purpose.”
The project was made possible through the bond investment approved by Rowan County voters in 2020. Due to rising construction costs and pandemic-related delays, bond funds have only supported two of the five projects originally planned. In addition, the College secured a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with support from U.S. Senator Thom Tillis’s office and continues to pursue additional funding for future facilities, including a planned Automotive Building at North Campus.
The Technology Education Complex builds on the College’s continued investment in advanced technology training. It will serve as a cornerstone for workforce education in Rowan County, similar to the impact of the Advanced Technology Center in Kannapolis. With expanded instructional space and advanced labs, the facility will increase student capacity, reduce waitlists and strengthen alignment between education and industry.