Larry Penkava
Staff Writer
ASHEBORO —
U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan commended Randolph Community College for its efforts to provide for the local community’s workforce needs.
She was in town last week to tour the Petty Education Center and the site of the proposed Continuing Education and Industrial Center (CEIC). Showing her around was Bob Shackleford, RCC president.
“I’m incredibly impressed with what you have done here,” she told an audience of government officials, staff members and invited guests at the CEIC. “Community colleges are the backbone of communities. It’s great to see you’re in support of your community college.”
Hagan began her visit with a tour of the Richard Petty Education Center, home of the RCC Automotive Systems Technology and Autobody Repair Technology programs. She talked to Mitchell Kiser, division chair for Industrial, Engineering and Transportation Division; Don Ashley, head of the Automotive Systems program; Dan Moore, head of the Autobody Repair Technology program; Willie Brewer, program graduate who is now a full-time instructor; and Cody Reed, current autobody student.
>From there, Hagan and Shackleford went to the CEIC, former Klaussner Furniture plant on Industrial Park Avenue that RCC purchased two years ago. With passage of the one-fourth-cent sales tax in March, the college is now preparing to use the revenues to renovate the building for classrooms, offices and meeting rooms.
There, Shackleford introduced Hagan to an audience that included N.C. Rep. Pat Hurley, county commission Chairman Harold Holmes, Asheboro Mayor David Smith, members of the RCC Board of Trustees and staff members.
Hagan told the group that she’s confident that a $30 billion bill in Congress to allow banks to loan money to small businesses will soon gain enough votes for passage.
“Small business is such a factor in North Carolina,” she said. “Anything we can do ... to put people back to work, we’ve got to do.”
Later in a press conference, Hagan said what’s unique about RCC is that the college “bought a warehouse to convert to classes. They’re listening to the needs of the community and addressing those needs. They’re retraining the unemployed with great marketable skills.”
She said she “wake(s) up every morning worried about (jobs). The small jobs bill didn’t get out of the Senate, but I hope we’ll get support for it (in September).”
Shackleford said privately that Hagan’s visit was important to RCC.
“It means everything to have her recognizing what some of the community colleges are doing in counties hit hard by the economy,” he said. “For a U.S. senator to come tour, talk to people, help with grants, you can’t put a value on that. We’re very grateful for her time and support.”
