Durham County Commissioners approve budget to boost student scholarships, extend 911 Academy funding, and fund biotechnology student stipends

Durham Technical Community College
Jun 15, 2022


Durham Tech projects approved for 2022 bond referendum for new healthcare and life sciences buildings

The Durham County Board of Commissioners approved a 2022-23 fiscal year budget Monday night that provides scholarship support for Durham Tech students entering a robust labor market and reinforces the College’s plans to build strong life sciences career pathways to local industries.

The budget provides $9,743,434 for Durham Technical Community College, an increase of $789,268 allotted since last year’s budget cycle.

The budget also includes a three-year commitment to extended the College’s new 911 Academy, which trains needed emergency telecommunicators for the region’s 911 centers.

In a statement Monday night, Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton lauded the Board and County Manager Kimberly Sowell for their support and commitment to Durham Tech and education opportunities for the community.

"I want to thank the Durham County Commissioners and the County Manager and her staff for their work on the 2022–23 budget and the 2022 Bond Referendum. This is what public leadership looks like. The commissioners' investments provide needed scholarships and pathways to jobs for Durham residents, economic development support for this community, and a pipeline of diverse talent for the region's employers," Buxton said.

Some of the budget highlights included:

  • Back-to-Work Scholarships: Continued funding of $250,000 in 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 another $250 to defray the expenses like course materials and technology.
  • BULLS-Life Sciences Initiative stipends: A continued funding of $250,000 to cover the stipends for participants in the BULLS – Life Sciences initiative for 18–24-year-olds disconnected from education and stable employment. The program provides $10,000 to participating individuals for BioWork and related life sciences training, preparation for the Biocertification exam and an industry-recognized credential, and a stipend to cover living expenses during the five-month program.
  • Support for 911 Academy: Funding in the amount of $9,000 for the first year of a three-year investment to support the second phase of the 911 Academy. This will support the deployment of training on the new video, text, media, and geolocation software to new and incumbent 911 dispatchers.
  • Durham Tech Promise funding: Continued funding for the Durham Tech Promise, which provides $500 each semester for up to four semesters for high school graduates from Durham County. Together with the State’s Longleaf Commitment grant, Promise funding is an integral component of Durham Tech’s free tuition initiative for 2021 and 2022 high school graduates.

​​​In addition to the 2022-23 budget, Commissioners approved a series of resolutions that are the first step to including Durham Tech projects as part of a bond referendum on ballots this fall.

The bond funding would provide:

  • $74 million for an 86,000-square-foot building to expand and consolidate all Allied Health Programs into one building, including a pedestrian connector across East Lawson Street from the Educational Resources Center;
  • $35.2 million for a 35,280-square-foot building to house life sciences and biotechnology industry training and education.
  • $3.5 million to purchase parcels contiguous to the Durham Main Campus.