Construction Management officials reported that the new Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, located off of Oval Drive on Centennial Campus, is in the final stages of its building process.

Senior Construction Project Manager Rudy Lopez said he has had relatively few problems in the construction progress and nothing has occurred to significantly delay the building’s completion.

“The project is on schedule to be completed for the fall semester,” he said. “It should be ready for use the first or second week of August.”

Lopez said workers have finished the primary construction of the building’s foundation and are now mainly concentrating on internal amenities.

“We are probably about 85 percent complete,” he said. “We are now finishing the interior of the building and have started painting, installing ceiling tiles, mechanical and electrical work.”

According to Lopez, the exterior of the building and surrounding area are also receiving some final touches.

“The sidewalks and exterior grating is about 90 percent complete,” he said. “We are now starting to install testing equipment.”

Lopez said the building is a joint venture between the University, private industries and the community.

“The building will primarily contain lab facilities for producing drugs and vaccinations,” he said. “It will be used for vocational training conducted by local community colleges and private industries in conjunction with the University.”

Seneca Toms, a teaching assistant for applied biotechnology, said the building will be an important training tool for students.

“The biotech center will allow students to actually work in a manufacturing facility and get hands-on experience,” Toms said.

The community college system, Toms said, along with University students in chemical engineering, microbiology and the newly created bioprocessing program will be able to take advantage of the facilities.

Toms said the center will allow students to strengthen their resumes in an industry that demands experience from prospective employees.

“It’s kind of a catch-22,” he said. “You need a job to get experience, but to get the job, you need experience.”

Toms explained that biomedical production is important to the economy of North Carolina, which in the past has relied heavily on textiles.

“The new hope is that biotechnology will replace a lot of jobs that have been lost from more traditional careers,” he said

According to Toms, the facilities will be invaluable for students and give them a real advantage for their future careers.

“The center will help prepare students for the future,” he said.