Orange County Campus celebrates beginning of building expansion

Durham Tech held a celebration with community stakeholders Feb. 5, 2026, to mark construction getting underway on a 14,000-square-foot expansion of the Orange County Campus.

The expanded Hillsborough campus will provide the opportunity for the College to con-tinue to grow the Emergency Medical Services, Public Safety and University Transfer programs. Durham Tech will be offering Orthopedic Tech, Allied Health and Skilled Trades courses for the first time at its Orange County location.

Among other additions and improvements, the project will result in:
•    Skilled Trades labs
•    Health and Wellness labs
•    Additional EMS & Public Safety labs
•    Student support areas

“We are excited to expand the Orange County Campus and grateful for the Orange Coun-ty Commissioners’ support and funding, which will enable us to offer additional, in-demand short-term training opportunities locally,” said Jackie Krohn, executive director of Orange County Operations for Durham Tech.

The Orange County Campus opened in 2008 with support from a statewide bond refer-endum and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

“The College is an important resource for developing talent in our community,” Orange County Commissioners Chairwoman Jean Hamilton said at the expansion celebration. “Students still in high school can start their college careers while in high school through the dual enrollment program. Orange County residents have opportunities to reskill and upskill in areas of interest and economic opportunity. And Durham Tech’s Health and Wellness and Human Services and Public Safety pathways train nurses and surgical techs, EMTs and paramedics to fill the serious shortage of workers we have in those critical fields. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has proudly sup-ported these endeavors, and we are thrilled that with this expansion, Durham Tech will have the opportunity to expand services to our community.”

Durham Tech Board of Trustees Chairwoman Pat Ashley in her remarks at the celebra-tion also spoke about the importance of partnerships and ensuring there is a talent pipe-line to meet community needs.

“Durham Tech is fortunate to work with county commissioners who ensure that when people need health care, medical assistance and skilled trades, those needs are ad-dressed, including providing support to the local community college,” she said.

Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton said the expansion marks an important milestone for Orange County and the College.

“We are grateful to the community for its support as we train the next first responders, health care workers, and skilled trades employees,” he said. “All of these fields meet vital needs, and we are proud that Durham Tech is part of ensuring those needs are met.”

Current Durham Tech students said the enhanced learning opportunities will have a tre-mendous impact on future students and the community.

Isis Zagada-Toledo, who is enrolled in the College’s EMS program, said that the new simulation lab, upgraded EMS labs, and more student spaces will be a huge benefit for students.

“Practicing realistic scenarios with advanced equipment is going to make students more confident, more prepared, and, honestly, more ready to hit the ground running,” she said. “And for anyone not in EMS, the expansions in trades, Phlebotomy, HVAC, and more will open doors for even more students to jump-start their careers.”