Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Higher Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cape Fear Community College highlights enrollment surge, seeks county help for Surf City facility roof
Summary
CFCC President Morton reported enrollment growth well above the community-college average, described a new Surf City workforce training facility and apprenticeship expansion, and asked the county to help fund a long-delayed roof replacement at the Burgaw/Surf City training center (estimated ~$650,000) plus modest operating increases tied to the new building.
Cape Fear Community College President Morton updated commissioners on rapid enrollment growth and new local training capacity at Surf City and Burgaw campus sites. He said the college’s enrollment increases have outpaced the statewide community-college average across recent summer, fall and spring terms.
Morton described the new Surf City facility (funded in part by legislators; cited funding of roughly $4 million) that adds roughly 10,000 square feet of training space, lab and veteran services and provides expanded workforce training—plumbing, HVAC, basic auto, outboard engines, floor installation and a biology lab to serve CCP students locally. He framed the facility as a workforce pipeline partner for Pender County and described apprenticeship expansion efforts and employer partnerships intended to place students directly into careers.
On operational costs, Morton said utilities for the new building add about $35,000–$36,000 annually and that equipment, contracted services and supplies also increase recurring costs; he contrasted that ongoing cost to the long-term return of added instructional capacity.
Morton also requested county assistance for a roof replacement at the Burgaw (WEX/Pender program) building where ongoing leaks and interior damage have required repeated repairs; he described a metal roof replacement estimated at roughly $650,000 that would reduce annual maintenance expense (he cited prior recurring repair costs of roughly $25,000–$30,000 per year) and extend the building’s useful life. He said replacing the roof would prevent repeated repair spending and protect the training investment.
Commissioners expressed support and asked county staff to evaluate the request and the building’s CIP status. No formal appropriation or vote was taken at the session; Morton said the college will continue pursuing grant and legislative funding as well as local partnerships.
The board asked for follow-up cost detail and suggested county and college staff coordinate for line-item estimates and prioritization in the county CIP process.
