Building projects moving forward at Johnston Community College

Bond dollars authorized by County Commissioners and approved by voters
are helping Johnston Community College move forward with building projects.

SMITHFIELD — Johnston Community College is moving forward with three campus projects.

The work encompasses:

• A significant expansion of JCC’s public safety training facilities.
• Renovations and an addition to the Elsee Building.
• Renovations to the Britt Building.

Funding comes from a $30 million bond issue that County Commissioners placed on the ballot and voters approved in 2024.

Together, JCC leaders say, the improvements will expand hands-on training, modernize instructional spaces, and help the college meet the educational and workforce needs of a growing county.

“The work made possible by this historic bond referendum represents a tremendous investment in Johnston County’s students, workforce and future,” said JCC President Vern L. Lindquist. “We are deeply grateful to the voters of Johnston County, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners and our community partners for recognizing the essential role the College plays in preparing our students for the regional workforce. These projects will have lasting benefits for our students and community.”

Most of the bond funding — about $23 million — will support the expansion of JCC’s public safety training facilities.

Phase One, which began June 1, includes a new and bigger parking lot and a 600-foot by 600-foot driver training pad for scenario-based training exercises. It will provide a controlled environment in which students and working public safety professionals can develop and strengthen their emergency-driving skills.

Other public safety improvements include:

• A new apparatus and classroom building with instructional space and bays for storing fire apparatus and equipment.
• A three-story “burn” building for hands-on emergency-response exercises.

Another $4.5 million will renovate and build an addition to the Elsee Building, which houses JCC’s nurse aide and other programs. That work should wrap up in December.

Finally, $2.5 million will renovate the Britt Building, home to JCC’s growing Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology Program. That work will also allow Emergency Medical Services and a new Respiratory Therapy to expand into the Britt Building.

“These improvements are about more than buildings,” Lindquist said. “They will help JCC serve a growing county and growing student enrollment, which has increased 72% in the last five years.”

That enrollment growth has added about $42 million in state funding to the college’s annual budget.

Page last updated on:  September 14, 2026