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May 25, 2022

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By NEWS-TOPIC STAFF

May 25, 2022

LENOIR — The city of Lenoir has received its second Brownfield Assessment grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this time for $500,000.

Lenoir received its first EPA Brownfield grant in 2018 in the amount of $300,000. The city used those funds to perform assessments on several commercial and industrial properties around town. Brownfield assessments are the first step to safely clean up and reuse possibly contaminated properties.

Once a property is assessed, the city has the option to apply for additional EPA funding to clean up the site. The city could also use grant funds to assist prospective buyers of these sites to enter into North Carolina’s Brownfield Program, which would provide both state liability protection and redevelopment tax incentives. Brownfield site assessments are required before developers can apply for North Carolina Brownfield Agreements. Brownfield Agreements also make these properties more financially attractive for owners and developers who are trying to redevelop and re-purpose abandoned properties.

With the first grant, the city assessed several properties including the Virginia Street property at the corner of Virginia Street and College Avenue, the old City Service Cleaners located at 1036 Harper Ave. (now owned by Liquid Roots), the Blue Bell Inc. property located at 1421 College Ave., and more.

Public Utilities Director Radford Thomas has led the Brownfield program for the city. Thomas said the second, $500,000 grant will allow staff to assess more commercial and industrial properties with the goal of eventually putting the sites back into productive use for the community.

“Some of the main focus of the new assessment program will be the completion of the Phase 2 assessment of the old Broyhill site on Virginia and College and the completion of the Brownfield Agreement application,” Thomas said. “We will also be looking at several other locations including the old American Efird site, the old car dealership on Harper and Pennton, and the old Lenoir High School property.”

The fact that staff was successful with using the first grant funds for so many assessments from 2018 to 2021 helped the city receive more funding this year.

“The EPA likes to see that the Brownfield grant money is helping put properties back into use,” Thomas said. “I feel the success of the last grant program was key to our application being approved this year. I’m certain that other locations will present opportunities to assist with assessment funding.”

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May 20, 2022

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By NEWS-TOPIC STAFF

May 20, 2022

LENOIR — Caldwell County Schools Superintendent Donald Phipps was named the Region Seven Superintendent of the Year by the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA) for 2022-2023.

NWRESA is an organization that provides professional services, staff development and support for public schools in the northwest region of North Carolina.

The Regional Superintendent of the Year Award winner is chosen by fellow superintendents from the 13 school districts in Northwest North Carolina. Phipps is one of eight superintendents in the state recognized for this honor and it places him in the running for State Superintendent of the Year.

Phipps joined CCS as superintendent in July 2018. Prior to that, he served the Beaufort County Schools as superintendent for 8.5 years. Dr. Phipps’ 28-year professional career has been entirely in education. He has been a school psychologist, nonprofit director of research and development, university professor and department chair, assistant principal, principal, executive director, and superintendent. His work career has involved the Cumberland County Schools, Smart Start of Cumberland County, Pfeiffer University, Beaufort County Schools, and Caldwell County Schools. He has taught in adjunct roles at several colleges and universities.

He has earned the following degrees: Bachelor’s degree from Methodist College (now Methodist University) in Psychology and Management Psychology; Master’s Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study from Appalachian State University in School Psychology; Education Doctorate degree from Appalachian State University in Education Leadership; and a Master’s of Education degree from UNC-Charlotte in Instructional Systems Technology.

Phipps is actively involved in public education locally and across the state. He has presented to the NC General Assembly, the Hunt Institute, NC State Board of Education, and at many professional conferences across the state, as well as regional and national conferences. He also serves on several local and state-level committees and boards. He has served as the President of the Northeast North Carolina Superintendents RESA as well as the Northwest North Carolina Superintendents RESA, the Chair of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Testing Compliance Commission, Vice-President of the Northwest North Carolina Superintendents RESA, and on several committees/teams with DPI. He was named Region 1 Superintendent of the Year in 2015 and Pfeiffer University professor of the Year in 2001.

Phipps is also actively involved in volunteer work throughout the community. As a charter member of the Foothills Rotary Impact club and other affiliations, his service within the community stretches far and wide. Dr. Phipps leads by example and his belief that the greatest way to lead is to serve is on display in many ways.

He is married to Nancy and they have four children and two grandchildren.

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May 19, 2022

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By NEWS-TOPIC STAFF

May 19, 2022

HUDSON — CCC&TI is now registering for several upcoming continuing education and workforce training courses. Following is a schedule:

BioWork Process Technician — CCC&TI will offer a BioWork Process Technician course Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from May 25 to July 14 on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson. The course provides basic preparation for process technician jobs in bioprocess manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical manufacturing. The course will include understanding the role of a process technician, safety, quality processes, measuring process variables, transforming matter, process technology (including processing equipment and plant utilities), controlling the process, maintaining sterile processes and growing living cells. The course combines classroom lecture and online instruction. Tuition for the class is $182, plus $80 for the textbook. For more information or to register, please call 828-726-2242.

Electrical Lineworker I — CCC&TI will offer an Electrical Lineworker I course Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from June 6 to July 25 on the Caldwell Campus. The Electrical Lineworker Institute prepares students for a career as an apprentice for a journeyman lineworker. In this program, students will develop the knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair outdoor residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems, and associated power transmission lines. For more information or to register, please call 828-726-2242.

Intro to CNC — CCC&TI will offer an Intro to CNC course on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from June 7 to June 30 at the Paul H. Broyhill Center for Advanced Technologies. The course introduces the concepts and capabilities of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. Topics include setup, operation and basic applications. Upon completion, students should be able to explain operator safety, machine protection, data input, program preparation and program storage. For more information or to register, please call 828-726-2242.

Red Hat Administration I — CCC&TI will offer Red Hat Administration I from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 6 to Sept. 1. The 12-week format is online with an open lab component. The course covers the core system administration tasks needed to manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers. The cost of the class is $240, which includes the registration and license to access content. For more information or to register, please call 828-726-2242.

Free Training for Advanced Manufacturing Careers — CCC&TI’s free IMPACT Institute prepares students for entry-level advanced manufacturing jobs and qualifies them for scholarships to continue their education in: Industrial Maintenance, Machining, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering and Welding. Students must be at least 18 and have earned a high school credential. There are two options for interested students. The daytime IMPACT Institute meets on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, June 13 to Aug. 8. The evening IMPACT Institute meets on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 14 to Aug. 9. For more information or to register, visit www.cccti.edu/impact or call 828-726-2242.

Class B Truck Driving — CCC&TI will offer a Class B Truck Driving class on the Transportation and Public Services Center in Hudson, July 12 through Aug. 16. The class meets 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The course teaches proper driving procedures, safe driver responsibility, commercial motor vehicle laws and regulations, and the basic principles and practices for operating a Class B vehicle. Course work includes motor vehicle laws and regulations, vehicle maintenance, safety procedures, daily logs, and defensive driving. Highway driving training exercise and classroom lectures are used to develop the student’s knowledge and skills. Upon successful completion, students are qualified to take the Commercial Driver’s License exam and are employable by commercial trucking firms. They may also become owner-operators and work as private contract haulers. Tuition and fees are $1,000. To reserve your seat in the class, call 828-726-2380.

Intro to CAD/CAM — CCC&TI will offer an Intro to CAD/CAM course on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from July 12 to Aug. 4 at the Paul H. Broyhill Center for Advanced Technologies. The course introduces CAD/CAM with an emphasis on transferring part geometry from CAD to CAM for the development of a CNC-ready program. Upon completion, students should be able to use CAD/CAM software to produce a CNC program. Students will train on MasterCAM. For more information or to register, call 828-726-2242.

HVAC I — CCC&TI’s Caldwell Campus will offer Introduction to HVAC on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 22 through Dec. 14 in J-232. This course serves as the entry-level requirement for all other courses in the HVAC program. The curriculum focuses on basic carbon steel piping practices, basic copper and plastic piping practices, basic electricity, intro to heating, cooling, and air distribution systems, soldering and brazing and trade mathematics. The cost of the class is $182. For more information or to register, call 828-726-2242.

Plumbing I — CCC&TI’s Caldwell Campus will offer Introduction to Plumbing from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 23 through Dec. 15 in J-220. The class serves as the entry-level requirement for all other courses in the Plumbing program. This course introduces basic plumbing tools, materials and fixtures. Topics include plumbing materials, different types of fixtures, proper tool selection and basic plumbing systems. The cost of the class is $182. For more information or to register, call 828-726-2242.

Furniture Technology Institute: Industrial Sewing — CCC&TI’s Furniture Technology Institute will offer Intro to Industrial Sewing on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from Aug. 22 to Dec. 14 in J-121 on the Caldwell Campus. Introduction to Industrial Sewing is designed to train students in the manufacturing concepts, tools, safety and the communication skills that will help prepare them for a career as a sewer in various manufacturing settings. Emphasis is placed on machine operation, setup and maintenance, threading, sewing straight lines, corners, curves and welts. Upon completion, students should be able to set up and operate a variety of industrial sewing machines. The cost of the class is $182. For more information or to register, call 828-726-2242.

Industrial Maintenance I — CCC&TI’s Caldwell Campus will offer Intro to Industrial Maintenance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Aug. 23 to Dec. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in S-103. This course is designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair equipment found in a variety of industries. Designed for the “jack-of-all trades” technician, this course covers all five major areas of industrial maintenance knowledge: Electrical Maintenance, General Maintenance, Mechanical Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance and Welding. The cost of the class is $182. For more information or to register, call 828-726-2242.

Furniture Technology Institute: Intro to Upholstery — CCC&TI’s Furniture Technology Institute will offer Introduction to Upholstery on Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., from Aug. 29 to Dec. 14 in J-118 on the Caldwell Campus. The course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to become an entry-level upholsterer. In addition, students will learn the soft skills needed for employment. The course includes core skills, training in upholstery manufacturing concepts, tools and safety and training in employability skills, communication, problem solving and critical thinking. The cost of the class is $182. For more information or to register, call 828-726-2242.

General Contractor Exam Prep — CCC&TI will offer a General Contractor Exam Prep class from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 13 to Nov. 17. This 60-hour course prepares students for the General Contractor’s licensing examination. Emphasis is placed on blueprints, laws and regulations, employment security laws and workers’ compensation. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the N.C. Contractor’s licensing examination. Cost for the course is $182. For more information on this course or to register, call 828-726-2242.

Red Hat Administration II — CCC&TI will offer Red Hat Administration II from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 19 to Dec. 15. The 12-week format is online with an open lab component. Red Hat System Administration II serves as the second part of the RHCSA training track for IT professionals who have taken Red Hat System Administration I. The course goes deeper into core Linux system administration skills in storage configuration and management, installation and deployment of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, management of security features such as SELinux, control of recurring system tasks, management of the boot process and troubleshooting, basic system tuning, and command-line automation and productivity. The cost of the class is $240, which includes the registration and license to access content. For more information, or to register, call 828-726-2242.

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May 16, 2022

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By COURIER STAFF

May 13, 2022

RALEIGH — Caldwell County’s short line railroad shared with Burke and Catawba counties is set to get a grant for upgrades.

The North Carolina Ports Authority and 13 short line railroads will be improving their rail infrastructure thanks to approximately $10.9 million in matching grant funds being awarded as part of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program (FRRCSI).

FRRCSI supports rail infrastructure health, safety and performance throughout the state, enabling NCDOT to partner with rail companies on improvement projects to effectively move freight. This partnership helps railroads efficiently meet customer needs in cost-effective ways while preparing them for growing service demands and partnerships with new businesses and industries.

The awarded grants are matched with railroad investments to contribute more than $21.7 million in rail infrastructure improvements statewide. Together, these projects will upgrade more than 12 miles of railroad track and 35 bridges in North Carolina. The funds awarded are as follows:

Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway: $3,563,324 for bridge improvements, siding construction and mainline track upgrades (Cabarrus, Montgomery, Moore, Stanly, Mecklenburg counties)

Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad: $419,175 for rail upgrades on the mainline (Hoke County)

Alexander Railroad Company: $218,660 for mainline crosstie upgrades and other track improvements (Alexander, Iredell counties)

Atlantic and Western Railway: $625,572 for switch upgrades, rail improvements and bridge improvements (Lee County)

Caldwell County Railroad: $73,125 for track alignment improvements, and track and crosstie upgrades (Catawba, Burke, Caldwell counties)

Carolina Coastal Railway: $1,113,500 for mainline bridge and track improvements (Beaufort, Greene, Johnston, Martin, Nash, Pitt, Wake, Washington, and Wilson counties)