Durham Technical Community College and Novo Nordisk officials broke ground recently on a new $41.2 million life sciences education center that will prepare students for careers in North Carolina's booming biotechnology sector.
The 35,000-square-foot Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center represents a major investment in workforce development, combining $35.2 million in county funding approved by Durham voters with a record-breaking $6 million corporate donation from the global healthcare company.
The facility, scheduled to open in 2026, will house Durham Tech's new Biotechnology Associate of Applied Science degree program and provide hands-on training with industry-standard equipment. The center will also offer career transition programs for workers seeking to enter or advance in biotechnology fields.
"We are grateful to the people of Durham County and our industry partners for their support in creating a facility that will serve our students, the community, and the life sciences industry," said Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton. "It will provide an outstanding educational experience to ensure the talent pipeline for a rapidly growing field that is improving health outcomes, while giving our students careers with upward economic mobility opportunities."
The investment comes as North Carolina's life sciences sector has experienced dramatic growth, expanding 30 percent since 2018 to include more than 840 companies statewide. The new center aims to help meet increasing demand for skilled biotechnology workers across the region.
Novo Nordisk's $6 million contribution marks the largest corporate donation in Durham Tech's history and ranks among the biggest single corporate gifts made across North Carolina's 58-campus community college system. The Danish pharmaceutical company has maintained operations in North Carolina for more than three decades.
"For more than 32 years, Novo Nordisk has been investing in education and workforce development in North Carolina – not just because we believe it's our responsibility, but our opportunity to make a lasting impact in the community," said Shaylah Nunn Jones, Director of Public Affairs & Communication for Novo Nordisk.
Beyond the initial donation, Novo Nordisk will continue supporting Durham Tech through professor-in-residence programs, apprenticeships, internships, scholarships, and equipment purchases. Other life sciences companies in Durham County are also collaborating to enhance the center's educational offerings.
The facility will extend its reach beyond college students, providing outreach programs for middle and high school students to build awareness of biotechnology career paths. The center's workforce training partnerships will help existing employees transition into or advance within the life sciences industry.
Durham County Commissioner Chairwoman Nida Allam emphasized the economic development benefits of the investment. "Today marks a celebration of Durham County voters, our commissioners and industry partners' support for education and providing crucial employers in our community with the employees they need," Allam said.
The groundbreaking represents the culmination of a multi-year effort that began when Durham County voters approved the funding measure in 2022, followed by Novo Nordisk's historic donation announcement in 2023. At the site on East Lawson Street, Durham Tech took one building down earlier this year to make way for new life sciences center. Another new building, for health sciences, will break ground late next month and is slated to be built next to the life sciences building.
When operational, the center will directly connect students with career opportunities at companies throughout North Carolina's expanding biotechnology corridor, helping maintain the state's position as a national leader in life sciences innovation and manufacturing.