President Buxton’s statement on approved Orange County budget that expands Orange County Campus, provides scholarship funding

“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 Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton.

The Orange County budget provides $11 million spread over two years to support a 13,000 – 18,000 square-foot addition to the Orange County Campus building. That 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.

The general fund budget also includes continued funding for Durham Tech Promise, which provides $500 each semester for up to four semesters for Orange County public high school graduates, and Back-to-Work course scholarships. The budget includes funding for a new Small Business Center Coordinator to provide targeted services to Orange County small businesses and entrepreneurs. It also funds a second phase of funding support for the College’s new 911 Academy to train emergency dispatch operators and support public safety.