Gov. Perdue to General Assembly: Community College Merger is Wrong for Communities, Businesses

Press Release

Governor Bev Perdue today called upon the General Assembly to reject a proposal that would merge dozens of mostly-rural community college campuses, saying it amounts to an attack on rural North Carolina -- and yet another blow to the state's education system.

"Community colleges are important economic drivers for their individual communities," Gov. Perdue said. "They are crucial partners in growing jobs, especially in rural areas. Local control is essential for addressing local needs, particularly in the areas of job creation, training and economic development. To merge rural community colleges is to move our education system backwards. The General Assembly should reject that proposal."

A report by the General Assembly's Program Evaluation Division recommends merging community college campuses in mostly rural areas of the state. On the list for consideration are 26 colleges, four of which, according to their own report, have no other community college within 30 miles (indicated by an asterisk). The list includes:

1. Beaufort County Community College in Washington

2. Bladen Community College in Dublin

3. Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock

4. Brunswick Community College in Supply

5. Carteret Community College in Morehead City

6. College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City*

7. Halifax Community College in Weldon*

8. Haywood Community College in Clyde

9. Isothermal Community College in Spindale

10. James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville

11. Martin Community College in Williamston

12. Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine

13. McDowell Technical Community College in Marion

14. Montgomery Community College in Troy

15. Nash Community College in Rocky Mount

16. Pamlico Community College in Grantsboro

17. Piedmont Community College in Roxboro

18. Richmond Community College in Hamlet

19. Roanoke-Chowan Community College in Ahoskie *

20. Rockingham Community College in Wentworth

21. Sampson Community College in Clinton

22. South Piedmont Community College in Polkton

23. Southeastern Community College in Whiteville

24. Southwestern Community College in Sylva

25. Tri-County Community College in Murphy *

26. Wilson Community College in Wilson

"North Carolina's community college system is absolutely crucial to our economic development engine -- I cannot say this loudly enough," the governor said. "I have talked to hundreds of companies that specifically choose North Carolina because they know the local community colleges will train the workers they need. These companies bring jobs to our people and, in turn, the community colleges provide companies with skilled, ready workers."

Gov. Perdue pointed to several recent jobs announcements made possible because of partnerships with community colleges:

* Beaufort Community College partnered to bring 239 jobs pledged with PAS Group and another 411 pledged with Fountain Powerboats.

* Rockingham Community College helped secure 68 jobs pledged with Loparex, 55 pledged with White Ridge Plastics and 95 pledged with Albaad.

* McDowell Technical Community College saw new jobs for the west by bringing 124 new positions pledged with Rock Tenn, 40 pledged with Jamesville Acoustics, 90 jobs pledged with Ethan Allen and 32 pledged with Wood Products.

* More western jobs were secured by Blue Ridge Community College, which helped bring 338 new jobs pledged with Continental Tevis.

* Richmond Community College worked to bring 250 new jobs pledged with Plastek.

"Take away the community colleges and where will those businesses turn for workers? What other state -- or country -- will get our jobs instead?" Gov. Perdue asked.

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