SCC to break ground on $22 million transportation STEM lab Aug. 18

Responding to the economic needs of Columbus County, the Automotive Systems Technology and Truck Driver Training programs at Southeastern Community College will gain a new $22 million 22,000 square foot workforce training facility. SCC will break ground for this new transportation STEM lab facility on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.  

“That fact that we’ve been able to bring back automotive systems and add on our truck driver training program means that we’re meeting the demands of a skilled workforce,” said SCC President Dr. Chris English. “Having this high-tech facility on campus gives us the advantage to bring additional training opportunities to this community that we haven’t had in years.” 

Plans for the transportation STEM lab building began in 2021 with conversations between N.C. Rep. Brenden Jones and English. They discussed the forthcoming space restrictions in SCC’s current facilities and the growing number of students looking to enter an automotive systems career. English said it was easy to see the concept for a new transportation and automotive technology facility because of his background as an auto mechanic and instructor for 10 years.  

“Working with Brenden and understanding what our needs were and where we wanted to go allowed him to see the vision and say ‘Yes. This is worthy.’ and get the funding for the project.,” English said.  

Funding for the new construction comes from a North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management State Capital Infrastructure Fund worth $14 million and an OSBM Regional Economic Development Reserve worth $8 million. 

“It’s very versatile with how it’s being designed,” English explained. “You’ll be able to see through the entire building because it’s modeled after the design of a European dealership. The look, the feel, the openness, the flow of it all has that European model feel to it.” 

The new facility will feature two classrooms, a CDL lab, office and storage spaces, a breakroom, an automotive lab, a Dyno lab and a parking lot.  

The CDL lab will come equipped with lifts to perform maintenance and inspections on SCC’s 18-wheeler trucks and become a diesel program space. The Dyno lab is an enclosed driving load simulator facility where vehicles are parked on a platform and tested without moving.  

“In a Dyno lab like this, you can simulate road conditions and do driveability performance while it’s sitting still in the lab,” English said. “Dyno labs are used in a lot of performance shops when vehicle owners are tuning their cars. It’s really critical for us and our electric vehicle diagnostic training.” 

With a groundbreaking on the horizon, English said “it’s about time.” He explained that after working over a year with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a wetland delineation and environmental impact development plan, SCC got the greenlight to move forward with the project.  

To access the new transportation STEM lab facility, SCC’s main circle driveway around the entire campus will receive a new addition. Near the N maintenance building, a roundabout will be put in place that will direct traffic to a new bridge that will lead to the new facility. The ground for the new facility will undergo a regraded process that will remove five feet of soil for the foundation of the building. 

For Automotive Systems Technology Instructor Johnny O’Connell, what he is looking forward to most is having a larger climate-controlled classroom and office space in the new transportation STEM lab building. He explained that students will have spacious air-conditioned lab areas that can accommodate more vehicles and training equipment.  

“Another big thing for us is becoming ASE or Automotive Service Excellence accredited,” O’Connell said. “That’s one of the main credentials we use for certifying technicians because it’s universally accepted. What we have now would not pass inspection.” 

The automotive lab will contain 10 vehicle lifts with eight of them being two-post lifts and two of them being drive-on lifts. O’Connell said the overall modern aesthetics of the building and equipment will assure students that they are receiving a quality automotive systems technology experience.  

“We’re going to attract more students from surrounding counties,” said Automotive Systems Technology instructor David Higgins. “This is just a better learning environment coming to our students, and I’m hoping it will get big enough to where we have to hire more instructors.” 

Higgins said he is looking forward to the “room for growth” in the program. With an increased lab space, Higgins said it will be an ideal spot for special meetings with industry partners. Industry partners will see that students are working with similar technology used in their shops.  

“The new facility will be almost 10 times the size of what we have now, so that leaves us with a lot of room for growth and options,” Higgins said. “When students leave here, they will be ready for the workforce.” 

Barnhill Construction is the contractor for the new building, while McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture has designed the building. English said that funding for a five-acre driving pad is working its way through government committees, and it will provide enough space for truck driver training, BLET and public safety usage.  

Make plans to visit SCC on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. for the groundbreaking ceremony!