2022-23 Orange County budget provides campus expansion, small business support, and student scholarship funding

The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a new fiscal budget this week that includes $11 million for an expansion to the existing Durham Technical Community College Orange County Campus building, a new position to support small businesses, and student scholarships for high school graduates and short-term training students.

The $11 million building expansion is spread over two years to support a 13,000 – 18,000 square-foot addition to the existing 40,000-square-foot, two-story Orange County Campus building, which opened in 2008. In recent years, Durham Tech leadership has strongly advocated for more space in Orange County given the need for more programming and workforce training options.

The expansion will provide additional space for training areas such as Emergency Medical Services, new Orthopaedic Technology and short-term healthcare courses, and Plumbing and HVAC courses. In addition, the expansion will provide space for Back-to-Work courses and Small Business Center program instruction, as well as additional areas for enrollment services, financial aid, and counseling.

In a statement, Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton said the budget will expand college access and opportunities for Orange County residents.

“Thank you to the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the County Manager for their work on the 2022-23 budget. This is an opportunity expansion budget. The commissioners’ investment in student scholarships, small business supports, and an expansion of the Durham Tech Orange County campus reflects their commitment to ensuring access to higher education, workforce training, and great careers for all Orange County residents,” said President J.B. Buxton.

The budget provides a total of $1,218,905, including current expense funding of $809,405 and recurring capital of $75,000. The budget provides $250,000 in student scholarships.

Highlights from the budget include:

• Small Business Support: Funding for a new Small Business Center Coordinator to provide targeted services to Orange County small businesses and entrepreneurs;
• Public High School Graduate Scholarships: Continued funding for Durham Tech Promise, which provides $500 each semester for up to four semesters for Orange County public high school graduates;
• Workforce Training Scholarships: Scholarship assistance for individuals to enroll in short-course Back-to-Work programs that offer access to in-demand, entry-level jobs in areas like biotechnology, health care, construction, and information technology. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition -- on average $250 -- and $250 in funds for the College Bookstore for textbooks or supplies.
• 911 Academy Support: A second phase of funding support for the College’s new 911 Academy to train emergency dispatch operators and support public safety.

Earlier this month, the Durham County Board of Commissioners also approved a new fiscal budget as well as a bond referendum this fall that would construct two new buildings – a health sciences and new a biotechnology training facility – on the College’s main campus.

Learn more about opportunities for free college tuition this fall and enroll today at www.durhamtech.edu.