North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Guilford Technical Community College marked a construction milestone with the topping out of its new Aviation Center on the Donald W. Cameron Campus, a project aimed at expanding workforce training to meet growing demand in the region’s aviation sector.
The 70,000-sq. ft. structure will house the college’s nationally recognized aviation program and is designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance. The Cameron Campus is located in Colfax, just minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport.
Blum Construction is the project’s construction manager at risk and is overseeing bidding and construction.
College officials said the new center will strengthen the pipeline of skilled aviation workers in Guilford County and across the Triad, one of the fastest-growing aviation hubs in the Southeast.
Major employers in the region include Boom Supersonic, JetZero, Honda Aircraft Company, HAECO and FedEx Express, all of which are contributing to strong demand for skilled workers in advanced aviation technologies.
Phase I of the project, known as Building One, represents a $34.6 million investment funded by Guilford County and the state of North Carolina. The building will relocate and expand training programs in composites, structures, assembly and avionics. College officials said the additional space will increase training capacity by 40%, allowing the program to serve more than 700 students annually.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025, with the facility expected to open in spring 2027.
A second phase is planned but not yet funded. The proposed $60 million expansion would add another 70,000 square feet of training space and increase capacity by 66%, serving more than 1,000 students annually.
College leaders said the Aviation Center will expand access to hands-on training in aerospace manufacturing fields while supporting local economic development and strengthening the region’s competitiveness in the aviation industry.