On June 26th, Lenoir Community College (LCC) broke ground on their new Aviation Center for Excellence, to be located at the Global TransPark (GTP) in Kinston, North Carolina. Designed by Greenville-based JKF Architecture, this state-of-the-art facility will support the College’s ability to supply a diverse and highly trained workforce to meet current demand for trained aviation workers.

LCC is a critical workforce development partner in the area and the new Center will go a long way toward building the workforce required of several private-sector stakeholders. When complete, the Center will spearhead education and training capable of serving employers around the region. As part of its building program, the Aviation Center for Excellence will include spaces for a sheet metal lab, engine components lab, reciprocating engine lab, turbo engine lab, composite materials lab, flight library, office suite, and restrooms. It will also include a sizable air frame lab, capable of housing multiple unfueled aircraft. A paint lab and aviation-focused welding area are also planned for the facility. The building is designed to have direct access to the GTP runway and will simulate many real-world conditions associated with the aerospace industry.