SOLUTIONS | Brick Capital’s community college collaboration far ahead of the curve

Feb. 9, 2015 – Though consensus is hard to find these days, one thing that most seem able to agree on is that community college is crucial.

Whether it is N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory talking about the critical role community colleges play in our state’s economic recovery, President Obama advocating for free and universal access or Tom Hanks talking about the role they played in his success, it seems everyone now acknowledges the importance of community college to society.

Community development organizations have long recognized the value of community colleges, particularly to the residents we serve. Not only do community colleges provide access to affordable higher education, they also provide meaningful skills training that can translate quickly into employment in good jobs. 

The W. B. Wicker Business Campus in Sanford, developed more than a decade ago by Brick Capital, is one example of how our sector leads the way.

Long before the mainstream focused on the value of community colleges, Brick Capital partnered with Central Carolina Community College for its redevelopment of historic Julius Rosenwald School with school alumni and investors, the City of Sanford, Lee County and Self-Help.

The relationship provided Brick Capital with an anchor tenant to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. It also dramatically increased the access that neighborhood residents have to workforce development training in key growth areas.

Visit http://brickcapitalcdc.com/business-campus.htm to read more about this innovative collaboration.