Harnett County, N.C. – Central Carolina Community College has announced plans to build a 10,000-sq.-ft. (930-sq.-m.) campus in the new Western Harnett Industrial Park. The campus will offer courses in telecommunications and computer programming, and a variety of occupational extension, focused industry and small business offerings. "Community college training courses are essential ingredients for attracting new business and industry and supporting their growth once they're here," says Dr. Marvin Joyner, president of Central Carolina Community College. "This new campus is a logical extension of our work and should help attract and support business growth in the area." Harnett County Economic Develop-ment Director Lee Anne Nance agrees.
        "We see this new campus as a key asset for recruiting and serving businesses in the park and surrounding area," says Nance. "Companies that are building facilities in the park will be able to interview, test and screen applicants on the site as well as train them. Students enrolled in courses provide a trained workforce for companies to recruit. And once companies are up and running, the new campus will provide a convenient location for employees to take advantage of continuing education opportunities." Central Carolina's board of trustees approved plans for the campus and allocated $1 million for construction, which will begin in late summer 2004. The Western Harnett Industrial Park, Inc., a corporation established by the Harnett Forward Together Committee to manage and oversee the park, has deeded 15 acres of prime industrial park acreage for the new facility.
        Western Harnett Industrial Park is located on 250 acres (101 hectares) in western Harnett County adjacent to NC Highway 87. It was certified as "shovel ready" in May 2003 by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Placement of paving and sewer within the park is currently underway. The park, located near Fort Bragg and Research Triangle Park, is an ideal site for a range of businesses, from defense suppliers to biomanufacturing, Nance says.