Life Sciences
In the heart of North Carolina, life sciences companies are establishing a major hub, and more and more are choosing Sanford and Lee County for their biomanufacturing operations. Sanford’s unique value proposition offers lower operational and living costs without sacrificing quality or access to major industry markets. Plenty of affordable land, a skilled workforce, and proximity to the renowned Research Triangle are a few reasons why companies like Pfizer and Astellas Gene Therapies continue to invest in Sanford.
The E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center will open soon at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC). Upon completion, the center will prepare students to create new career pathways within the Life Sciences field by providing comprehensive education and industry training on state-of-the-art equipment – the largest facility in the state focused on addressing the workforce needs of advanced manufacturing and biotechnology.
The Center was made possible by Lee County’s purchase of a 22-acre former manufacturing facility. Funding from a private donation, coupled with pending grant applications, will provide the project’s initial investment.
The BioWork program at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) is a certificate program offered to recent high school graduates, transitioning military, or anyone seeking a new career opportunity which can lead to an entry-level position as a process technician. Students learn foundational skills needed to gain an entry-level position in forensic laboratories, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and research and development.
Through the Military Service Member Biopharma Manufacturing (MSMBM) initiative at CCCC, military service members are eligible to apply for participation in the BioWork certificate program at no cost to them. The program was developed with an award from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) to grow the life sciences talent pipeline in the Central Carolina region.
NCSU Biomanufacturing & Training Center is a unique, cross-disciplinary instructional center that provides educational and training opportunities to develop skilled professionals for the biomanufacturing industry. It also provides bioprocess development and analytical services to a wide range of customers from academia and industry.
Talent
3 Tier One Research Universities (Duke, UNC-CH, NC State) within 45 minutes
Central Carolina Community College (BioWork and Bioprocessing Tech) 10 minutes
Population of 450,000+ within 45 minutes
Global Connectivity
RDU International Airport 35 minutes
Raleigh Executive Jetport (6500 ft runway) 5 minutes
Centrally Located to 5 East Coast Ports
Regional Connectivity
I-540 Interstate Connector 15 minutes
I-440 and I-40 25 minutes
Crossroads of US Hwy 1 Expressway and Future I-685 (US Hwy 421)
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SANFORD