High School in Morrisville

Artist’s Renderings of Wake Tech’s Morrisville Campus expansion

New High School Opening In Morrisville

Wake Early College

WAKE TECH of Information and PARTNERS WITH Biotechnologies plans to open in Morrisville

WAKE PUBLIC in August this year.

SCHOOLS, RTP Morrisville’s first public high school will be housed at Wake

COMPANIES Technical Community College’s Research Triangle Park campus in Morrisville. Students will take a blend of high school courses and Wake Tech courses, with the opportunity to focus on four specific program areas:         n Network management n Cybersecurity         n Computer programming n Biotechnology

Students will graduate with a high school diploma and credits toward their Associate in Applied Sciences degree, with the potential to earn enough credits to graduate with an Applied Sciences degree.

In a separate – but related – initiative, the Morrisville campus also will partner with RTP businesses to provide students with real-world work experience in high-demand career fields, via the Wake Tech Foundation’s new Building Tomorrow’s Talent initiative – an ambitious new partner recognition program to garner support for advanced biotech and IT training in the new science and technology building on the college’s RTP Campus.

With unprecedented industry expansion in the Triangle, the initiative will make it possible for businesses to support the hightech education programs required to produce the workforce they need – and connect with future employees – while showcasing their brand.

“Partnerships with local business and industry are extremely vital to the success of Wake Tech programs,” said Roxanne Miller, the Wake Tech Foundation’s Director of Development. “This is a great opportunity for IT and biotech companies to get in on the ground floor of an exciting new facility and play a key role in the development of their talent pipeline.”

Naming gifts start at $30,000 and are recognized with highvisibility signage at the selected location. Naming opportunities include the Capstone Analytics lab, a co-laboratory, an aseptic clean room, science labs, and a suite of classrooms and labs for the planned Early College high school, in partnership with Wake County Public Schools.

Funds raised through Building Tomorrow’s Talent support scholarships that increase access to education – especially for students in populations traditionally underrepresented in IT and biotechnology. The funds also support faculty training and program development as well as equipment and technology enhancements.

“Biotech and IT are booming like never before,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “And these industries continue to turn to Wake Tech for the highly-skilled and specialized employees they must have to thrive. Our new facility is opening at just the right time, and our expert, industry-proven faculty are ready to partner with companies of all sizes to provide the workforce they demand.”

The science and technology building opened for classes in the fall of 2021. It is the second building on the growing RTP Campus and the home of Wake Tech’s new Biotechnology AAS degree program; the BioWork certification program, Business Analytics; and industry training and collaboration space. It also houses the new Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies, opening fall of 2022.

For more information on the Building Tomorrow’s Talent, visit waketech.edu.edu/RTPcampuspartners.

n A joint venture proposal by Trinity Capital Advisories and Starwood Capital

Group to develop a $1 bil-

lion, 109-acre life sciences campus in Morrisville

surfaced in recent weeks.

The proposed development would include 1.5 million sq. ft of space in 12 o 15 buildings, with lab and bio-manufacturing space – plus retail, green spaces and more, at the corner of

McCrimmon Parkway and

Airport Boulevard. n Morrisville Chamber of

Commerce’s 31st Annual

Meeting is rescheduled (due to COVID concerns) to 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at

Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Award applications are now due by Feb. 21 (Small Business of the Year, Community Steward, and

Non-Profit of the Year).

For more information and updates, visit morrisvillechamber.org. n New recognition banners celebrating Morrisville being named an All America

City were recently installed throughout the community. n Town of Morrisville’s Spring

Little League Baseball

registration is now open for ages 5-12. Practices are expected to begin in late February. In addition, individuals ages 9-12 interested in participating in softball can contact the town to express interest in forming a teams. Volunteers for tee ball, baseball and softball may also reach out to Bryan Rhea at brhea@ townofmorrisville.org for more information. n Morrisville Chamber of

Commerce’s Annual

Meeting is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on

Thursday, May 5, at Prestonwood Country Club. Nominations are now accepted for the 2021 awards: Small

Business of the Year; Community Steward of the Year; and Non-Profit of the Year.

For more information, visit morrisvillechamber.org. n Connected Park

Initiative awarded the

Town of Morrisville with the 2021 Cleantech Impact:

Local Government Award.

Town staff installed occupancy sensors to helps residents avoid unnecessary trips to facilities when they are occupied – and moisture sensors alert park management teams regarding flooding.

Partnerships with local business and industry are extremely vital to the success of Wake Tech programs. This is a great opportunity for IT and biotech companies to get in on the ground floor of an exciting new facility and play a key role

in the development of their talent pipeline.

ROXANNE MILLER Wake Tech Foundation’s Director of Development.

Photos Courtesy Wake Technical Community College

Morrisville Events & Activities

2/8, 3/22 Morrisville

Town Council Meeting, 6-9 pm; Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville. Info: townofmorrisville.org. 2/23 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce Power of Inclusion Series, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; speaker Matthew Kane, co-founder of “Our Stories: Brave Conversations on Race”; in-person pricing – $37 (members), $45 (non-members), $350 (corporate group of 10); virtual pricing – $10 (members), $15 (non-members), $85 (corporate group of 10); Paramount Event Venue, Morrisvile. Info: morrisvillechamber.org, 919-463-7150. 3/3 C-Suite Conversations, 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; Morrisville Chamber of Commerce and Wake Technical College present a panel discussion on local business issues; free; Wake Tech Community College, RTP Campus. Info: morrisvillechamber.org, 919-463-7150.

3/8 KNOW Event, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; International Women’s Day Celebration; pricing – $37 (members), $45 (non-members), $350 (corporate group of 10); contact 919-463-7150 for location. Info: morrisvillechamber.org.

3/8, 3/22

Morrisville Town Council

Meeting, 6-9 pm; Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville. Info: townofmorrisville.org.

Feb-Mar

Rotary Club of Morrisville, 12-1 pm, Tuesdays; Historic Christian Church Meeting Center, 222 Church St., Morrisville. Info: 919-621-8444.