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Commissioners approve moving forward on Piedmont Community College sublease for Zachary hiring center
Summary
The Person County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 15 to allow Piedmont Community College and county staff to pursue a sublease for Zachary to locate a hiring and training center at PCC's South Campus; the action permits negotiation but does not finalize lease terms.
The Person County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 voted to allow Piedmont Community College (PCC) to pursue a sublease of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 square feet at the college's South Campus so Zachary can locate a hiring center and work with the college on training.
The action cleared the way for county staff and college leaders to negotiate lease terms; the board did not approve a final contract. County Manager Catherine (last name not specified in the transcript) reminded the board that the existing lease between the county and PCC requires the college to obtain the county's prior written consent to any assignment or sublease.
Dr. Kevin Lee, president of Piedmont Community College, said the sublease would create a pipeline from PCC students to jobs at Zachary and nearby Duke Energy work. "Through this partnership, Zachary will be hiring approximately 1,000, workers," Lee said, adding the arrangement would help students obtain skilled trades jobs while remaining on the South Campus.
Speakers from the college and community told the board the plan would benefit students and local workforce development. Connie White, a member of the PCC board of trustees, called the proposal "a win win'win" for students, the college and the community. Ronald Booker, chair of PCC's facilities, buildings and grounds committee, urged the commissioners to "please vote for this," saying housing an employer on campus that pays for space and hires graduates would be "an incredible opportunity."
Representatives for Zachary and Duke Energy described construction and hiring timelines. Zachary Project Director Horton said work is starting immediately at the nearby Roxboro site and that the construction program would run through 2029, possibly to 2030 if a second adjacent project proceeds. "This project's gonna be located right next to the current operating Roxboro Steam Plant. We're gonna be out there, starting today, actually, all the way through '29," Horton said.
Commissioner Webb moved to approve allowing negotiations to proceed; after no discussion the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board's approval was limited to allowing PCC and county staff to proceed with sublease negotiations and did not bind the county to any particular lease price or terms.
County staff noted further approvals will be required before any lease is executed.
Why this matters: Zachary and Duke Energy said the work will require large numbers of craft and construction hires; county and college officials framed the proposed on-campus hiring center as a way to connect local students to those jobs and to provide training in trades such as HVAC and plumbing.
What's next: Negotiations over lease price and contract terms. Any final sublease or use agreement would have to be returned to the county for approval before execution.
