The walls of the Maintenance Building on the Sampson Community College campus are no longer standing, as bulldozers began razing the building last week.

The demolition is part of the college’s plan to construct an 10,000-square-foot welding building that will include a state-of-the-art welding lab, new general purpose classrooms, faculty offices, conference space and restrooms.

Total bid cost for the new welding building is $3,286,127, which will be funded through a combination of local, state and federal funds, including a $1.74 million grant from the Economic Development Administration, which provides matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Work is to be completed by Daniels and Daniels Construction of Goldsboro.

The outdated structure, better known as “M” building, has previously housed the Industrial Maintenance and Animals Science programs at the college. It has also been used for various classes from art and the Basic Law Enforcement Training programs.

The facility will replace a smaller shop area that is currently housed in a 25-year old metal building and used for welding construction. The current location lacks proper ventilation, adequate instructional space and cannot be renovated or expanded to adequately support the use of automated and robotic devices.

“We have begun the demolition process of the building that currently sits where the new facility will reside,” Barney Grady, coordinator of Building and Industrial programs at Sampson, said. “This building had to be removed as it is very outdated and not cost-efficient to renovate. We are excited to see this progress and I can’t wait to see the new facility when it is complete.”

According to Lisa Turlington, dean for advancement at SCC, the new welding structure will only enhance local businesses and industries by providing training needed to create 50 jobs and save 24 other jobs.

Hog Slat, Prestage Farms, Dubose National Energy, Smithfield Hog Production, Enviva, Schindler and Robinson and Son Machines have stated that their businesses could grow as a result of a better trained workforce by $8.8 million.

While the new facility will be located in Sampson County, surrounding counties will also benefit from the expanded facility and training services. Local industries will not only assist in writing the curriculum used to train the workers, but have a larger pool of trained individuals to pull from when hiring, therefore decreasing the local unemployment rate.

“This state-of-the-art facility will be among the nicest welding facilities in North Carolina,” Grady said. “We are lucky to have so many welding jobs in this area and we will be able to provide great opportunities for students here as a result. We are moving forward. This college has worked hard to provide top-notch equipment and top-notch facilities.”

The demolition process on the old welding building began last week at Sampson Community College.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_SCC-Welding.jpgThe demolition process on the old welding building began last week at Sampson Community College.

By Kristy D. Carter

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Sampson Community College’s Dan Grubb contributed to this article. Kristy D. Carter can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.