College remains focused on students, growth and the future educational needs of Cabarrus County.

The $60 million Cabarrus County Community College General Obligation Bond did not receive voter approval in Tuesday’s election, but Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will continue moving forward with efforts to expand educational capacity at South Campus and meet the needs of a growing region.

According to preliminary results reported Tuesday night by the Cabarrus County Board of Elections, 48.02% of voters supported the bond and 51.98% voted against it. Results remain unofficial until the canvass is complete later in November.

The proposed bond would have provided approximately $52.5 million for a new, approximately 70,000-square-foot Workforce Innovation Center at Rowan-Cabarrus South Campus in Concord and $7.5 million for renovations to Building S201, the first building constructed at South Campus in 1990.

“We are grateful to every Cabarrus County resident who took time to learn about these projects, participate in the conversation and make their voice heard,” said Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol S. Spalding. “The election result changes how we move forward, but it does not change the need or our commitment to addressing it. We will continue working with our county partners and community stakeholders to identify the path that allows us to advance this important project and meet the needs of our students and region.”

Rowan-Cabarrus also extends its appreciation to the students, employees, trustees, community partners and others who participated in voter education and civic engagement efforts throughout the referendum process.

The College serves more than 23,600 students annually. Since 2020, enrollment of Cabarrus County residents has increased 27.7%, surpassing the county’s population growth of approximately 10.6% during the same period. South Campus continues to play an important role in serving that growth and expanding access to education close to home. Rowan-Cabarrus also works with more than 300 employers throughout the region, making additional educational capacity an important part of Rowan-Cabarrus’ ability to respond to changing workforce and economic needs.

The Workforce Innovation Center is designed to add educational capacity at South Campus through flexible instructional environments, technology-forward learning spaces, workforce education labs, employer collaboration areas, career advising and student support spaces. Renovations to Building S201 would update existing educational environments and building systems so the facility can continue serving students for years to come.

Planning for additional capacity at South Campus has been underway for more than a decade. Rowan-Cabarrus purchased land for the proposed facility in 2018, and Cabarrus County allocated funding for architectural design in 2025. The Workforce Innovation Center remains an important part of the College’s long-term vision for South Campus. The referendum changes the anticipated funding strategy, not the need for the facility or Rowan-Cabarrus’ commitment to moving it forward.

“The need has not changed, and neither has our responsibility to the students and communities we serve,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees Chair Cynthia L. Mynatt. “We respect the decision of Cabarrus County voters, and we appreciate the many people who took time to learn about the proposal and make their voices heard. As we look ahead, we will work closely with College and county leaders to consider the needs of South Campus and carefully evaluate the options before us.”

Rowan-Cabarrus will continue conversations with Cabarrus County, the Board of Trustees, state and federal legislators and community partners as the College considers future options for addressing educational capacity at South Campus. Those discussions will help inform decisions about other long-term campus priorities.

As Rowan-Cabarrus considers the next steps for South Campus, the College’s focus remains on creating opportunities for students and meeting the educational and workforce needs of the communities it serves. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College serves students at every stage, from high school students earning college credit to adults preparing for new careers or building new skills. To learn more about Rowan-Cabarrus programs, services and opportunities, visit rccc.edu.