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97ɫnical Community College, Novo Nordisk and 97ɫ County leaders today broke ground on the 35,000-square-foot “Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center”, an innovative facility designed to prepare students for careers in biotechnology and other life sciences fields.
The groundbreaking marks the next chapter in a journey that started in 2022 when 97ɫ County voters and Commissioners voted to approve $35.2 million for the new facility. Then, in 2023, global healthcare company Novo Nordisk announced a $6 million gift – the largest corporate donation in 97ɫ’s history and amongst the largest single corporate gifts made throughout the entire 58 community college system.
Together, 97ɫ and Novo Nordisk are building a hub for biotechnology education and workforce training that will create new opportunities for students and strengthen North Carolina’s position as a leader in life sciences.
“We are grateful to the people of 97ɫ County and our industry partners for their support in creating a facility that will serve our students, the community, and the life sciences industry,” said 97ɫ President J.B. Buxton. “It will provide an outstanding educational experience to ensure the talent pipeline for a rapidly growing field that is improving health outcomes, while giving our students careers with upward economic mobility opportunities.”
Once complete in 2026, the Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center will allow 97ɫ to:
- Establish a Biotechnology Associate of Applied Science degree program (for current college students)
- Create on-site training for biotechnology career transition programs to upskill/reskill existing employees and other related workforce training partnerships
- Ensure students are trained on biotechnology equipment actively used in the industry
- Provide outreach and awareness for area middle and high school students
These programs will directly connect students with career pathways at companies like Novo Nordisk and across North Carolina’s biotechnology sector, which has grown 30% since 2018 and is now home to more than 840 life sciences companies.
“For more than 32 years, Novo Nordisk has been investing in education and workforce development in North Carolina – not just because we believe it’s our responsibility, but our opportunity to make a lasting impact in the community,” said Shaylah Nunn Jones, Director of Public Affairs & Communication for Novo Nordisk. “The Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center is a testament to our dedication to fostering a strong and diverse talent pipeline here. By collaborating with 97ɫ, we are not only creating pathways to innovative careers in biotechnology but also empowering students from all backgrounds to thrive in a rapidly advancing industry.”
As part of the ongoing partnership, Novo Nordisk will continue to support 97ɫnical Community College through its professor-in-residence program, apprenticeships, internships, scholarship programs, and the purchase of select biotech training equipment. Several other life sciences companies in 97ɫ County are also actively collaborating to enhance the center's offerings and ensure that students are well-prepared for the workforce.
"Today marks a celebration of 97ɫ County voters, our commissioners and industry partners' support for education and providing crucial employers in our community with the employees they need," said 97ɫ Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Nida Allam. "Life Sciences is a growing field and we want to make sure 97ɫ is providing the necessary talent by educating our community college students in state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of these employers."