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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Norman Smit |
| Date: March 30, 2004 | (919) 807-6963 |
BIOTECH COMMITTEE REVIEW PROCESS FOR N.C. COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRANTS BEGINS
Fifty proposals come under the microscope starting today as a committee begins scrutinizing biotech proposals submitted to the North Carolina Community College System.
A committee with representatives from the System, Golden LEAF, the State Board of Community Colleges, the NC Biotech Center, and industry, gathered for a series of day-long ranking sessions scheduled for completion by April 7, 2004.
The committee will evaluate and rank 50 proposals asking for more than $7.7 million. $4.3 million of Golden LEAF funding has been earmarked for the community college part of this initiative, but grant money is contingent upon continued availability of funds in future.
The proposals describe programs designed to improve the training that community colleges are able to provide industry by upgrading curricula and equipment and extending programs available to students seeking to work in the biotech industry in the state.
Susan Seymour, the BioNetwork Director, said: "We did this to meet the existing needs of the North Carolina biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries - without this, statewide community colleges wouldn't be able to meet the needs of the companies in these sectors as they expand. It will also be as strong draw for companies eyeing out North Carolina as a location for new plants in future."
The call for proposals fell into several categories. One was for proposals to upgrade biotechnology equipment and facilities at community colleges; another was for biotechnology innovations; yet another covered BioNetwork Centers and the final call was for the dedicated NCCCS space at BTEC, the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center planned for NCSU Centennial campus. The various elements the proposals cover will further strengthen workforce development, which has already played a key role in the decision-making by many biotech companies to choose to locate plants in North Carolina.
Proposals that are being evaluated range from the development of marine biology, bioagricultural and forestry courses to industrial technology upgrades and retrofitting of existing laboratories and facilities. Some skills needed in biomanufacturing can be taught only by exposure to either the process or by using the kind of equipment found on the factory floor; the proposals reflect the need by community colleges to be able to provide training that remains up to date with what's happening in industry.
The process is being fast-tracked. The deadline for the proposals was last week on March 26, 2004. An announcement about which proposals have won will be made towards the end of May.
For further information, contact:
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Susan Seymour |
Norman Smit |
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