Rutherford Weekly

Page 2 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, October 5-October 11, 2023 Nursing and other health sciences students at Isothermal Community College will soon learn their trades in a new state-of-the- art facility, thanks to the North Carolina General Assembly. The state legislature appropriated $30 million in its 2023-25 biennial spending plan for Isothermal during this year's long session. The budget was approved by the Senate and the House on Friday, Sept. 22, and went into effect this week. Dr. Margaret Annunziata, Isothermal's president, said she is appreciative of the college's legislative delegation and the strong show of support they have given to help the college build a new home for its nursing and allied health programs. The majority of those programs have been housed in the old 1950s-era Rutherfordton Elementary School, which Rutherford County Schools vacated in 2009. "The Rutherfordton Learning Center has met the college's needs for more than a decade," said Annunziata. "It's to the point, however, that the high-tech infrastructure needed to prepare the future of health care providers must be addressed and the existing facility cannot meet that need." Annunziata started talks with the Isothermal Board of Trustees in 2022 about the need for a new health and sciences building. In addition to renovation and repair needs at the current facility, other drivers included the need to totally update the college's chemistry and biology labs, which are located in the Administration Building built in 1968, and the desire for nursing students and faculty to return to the main campus permanently. Many students now travel between the RLC and the main campus multiple times each day for classes and other support services. Last fall, the college engaged the Charlotte offi ce of LS3P to provide initial renderings for the building, based on existing and projected programming to provide increased capacity to prepare registered nurses (RNs), practical nurses (LPNs), certifi ed nursing assistants (CNAs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, p h l e b o t o m i s t s , geriatric and homecare specialists, virtual health care specialists, and other allied health specialists. In early January, the concept of a 62,540 sq. ft., three-story building including state-of- the-art anatomy, chemistry, and related labs along with high- tech simulation spaces to support healthcare education and training came back with a $30 million price tag. Trustees like the plan and asked Annunziata to begin to plan to fund the construction of the facility. Annunziata and her staff decided to fi rst ask the North Carolina General Assembly to consider a state capital appropriation. "We spent a lot of time in the early part of the year talking to our lawmakers about the project," said Michael Gavin, Isothermal's director of Marketing and Community Relations. "They seemed very receptive to the idea and what it will ultimately mean for our students and communities in Polk and Rutherford counties." They were so receptive, Gavin said, that they ultimately included the project in this year's budget on both the House and Senate sides, awarding $10 million to Isothermal this year to get started with full architectural plans with $20 million in the next year's spending package for the college to move into the construction phase. "Thanks to the fi scally responsible work of this General Assembly on behalf of the people of North Carolina, we have made signifi cant investments where they are needed most," said Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, on the day the House passed the bill. "The record investments we have made in water and sewer infrastructure, mental health, workforce development, transportation, community colleges, education, and more, will have lasting impact on North Carolina families that will be felt statewide." Moore represents the Isothermal service area, which covers Rutherford and Polk counties, along with Sen. Tim Moffi tt, R-Henderson, and Rep. Jake Johnson, R-Polk. "I consider it an honor and a privilege to help make this appropriation to Isothermal Community College possible," said Moffi tt. "Having fi ve sons, I am keenly aware of how important it is to invest in the future of the younger generation, especially in the vital fi eld of health sciences - which truly affects not only our local community but entire region. This appropriation is a great fi rst step and underscores, with confi dence, the vision and excellent leadership of President Annunziata and the Board of Trustees." Johnson shared he is looking forward to the construction of the facility and has enjoyed being a part of the process. "We could not be more excited to announce the $30 million funding of the new Health & Sciences Building at Isothermal Community College," said Johnson. "This is a huge fi rst step in fi lling the workforce gap in our community while also making sure our kids who want to plant their roots here in Western NC have viable high-paying and rewarding career paths to embark on, right here at home." Gavin said the bids for the architectural work are expected to go out soon with construction on the facility to begin in 2024. Initial plans put the building site inside the loop in the space next to the ICC Library, which will expand learning and workforce preparation space to ensure that students have the resources necessary to build knowledge and skills for high-skill, high-wage careers in health care and related fi elds. Rutherford County Weather...........17 Fast Way Oil Kids Corner...............14 Community Calendar.....................16 Business & Services Directory........7 Obituaries....................................18 Local Churches............................20 Outdoor Truths................................9 Classified Ads.........................22-23 I n s i d e T h i s W e e k I n s i d e T h i s W e e k Saturday, October 14, 2023 Saturday, October 14, 2023 534 Big Springs Church Road 534 Big Springs Church Road Ellenboro, NC 28040 Ellenboro, NC 28040 (Located in The Hollis Community) Big Springs Big Springs Baptist Church Baptist Church ANNUAL ANNUAL BROTHERHOOD BROTHERHOOD FISH FRY FISH FRY Proceeds go to Brotherhood Local Benevolence Fund Lots of Homemade Desserts MEAL SERVED FROM 4:00pm to 7:00pm COST IS COST IS DONATION DONATION Article Provided By: Mike Gavin Conceptual rendering of the new building. Isothermal set to build new $30 million health and sciences building The Mountain Gateway Team of Operation Christmas Child would like to announce some new drop off locations in the Mountain Gateway Team area. You can fi nd all the drop off locations, packing ideas and much more on the web site: Samaritan's Purse.org/ Operation Christmas Child. For more information contact the Mountain Gateway Team with questions or concerns: Judy Jackson 828 606-3636 or Tommy Sims 828 429-3309. Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week Is November 13-20 Article Provided By: Tommy Sims Saturday Saturday October 28 October 28 th th , 2023 , 2023 7:00 pm 7:00 pm "Elvis" Individual Tickets - $45 ~ Box Seats - $50 Individual Tickets - $45 ~ Box Seats - $50 Meet & Greet Tickets - $50 Meet & Greet Tickets - $50

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