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Zebulon Chamber of Commerce Board Formally Supports the 2026 Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond

Chamber NewsPoliticalEconomicPress Release

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2026


Zebulon Chamber of Commerce Board Formally Supports the 2026 Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond

ZEBULON, N.C. – The Zebulon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met Thursday, October 22, 2026, and adopted a formal resolution in support of the $149.1 million Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond. The bond will be on the November 3 ballot for all Wake County voters.

The Chamber takes a public position on ballot measures only rarely. The Board chose to do so here after careful consideration because the bond speaks directly to the needs of the businesses and communities we serve.

Wake County's growth has brought rising demand for skilled people: people who keep our communities safe, care for our families, and power our local economy. Employers in East Wake County experience this every day when they look for qualified firefighters, technicians, tradespeople, and healthcare workers. Wake Tech is where many of those workers are trained.

“The bond would give Wake Tech more room to meet the needs of those seeking gainful employment while supporting our expanding workforce demands. With the rapid pace of  our changing and increasingly competitive workplace, our local residents deserve up-to-date facilities and technology essential to train them well,” stated John D. Saffold, Executive Director of the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce.

The bond would fund:
  • Workforce program expansion ($41 million): This includes completing the Fire and Rescue Training Center at Wake Tech East, in East Wake County. It also expands welding, electrical and HVAC labs, automotive and electric-vehicle training, and dental hygiene facilities, and supports planning to expand the Western Wake Campus.
  • Southern Wake Campus renovations ($65 million): These would upgrade aging buildings, classrooms and labs that serve diesel and heavy equipment, engineering, architecture and construction management programs.
  • Collegewide renewal ($43.1 million): This covers HVAC, roofing, life safety, security, accessibility and technology upgrades across Wake Tech's campuses.
According to Wake County, the Wake Tech bond would cost taxpayers 90 cents per year for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

The Chamber encourages every voter to review the details and make an informed decision on November 3:  
 

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF THE WAKE COUNTY WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE BONDS

WHEREAS, a Wake County bond initiative will be on the November 3, 2026, ballot asking voters to authorize the issuance of $149 million in bonds for Wake Technical Community College construction; and

WHEREAS, continued rapid growth in Wake County has created ongoing demands for workforce training; and

WHEREAS, Wake Technical Community College serves the educational and training needs of some of the fastest growing municipalities in the country, and the continued strength of Wake Technical Community College is essential to the continued prosperity of Wake County; and

WHEREAS, Wake Technical Community College plays a crucial role in partnering with businesses large and small, in Wake County and statewide, to educate and train over 75,000 students of all ages; and

WHEREAS, Wake County's population is aging, as well as increasing, and investments in health and wellness are vital to our region's long-term quality of life; and

WHEREAS, bond funding will allow Wake Tech to expand capacity to address the growing skills gap with training in key fields such as health sciences, biotechnology, information technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and other growing fields; and

WHEREAS, bond funding will not only support learning, training, and lab space for thousands of students, it will also be used to enhance the safety and security of students, employees and visitors at Wake Tech's multiple locations with college wide upgrades including accessibility and security enhancements; and

WHEREAS, general obligation bonds represent the most economical alternative with which to fund these critical needs and bonds are a responsible investment in today's and tomorrow's growth;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce hereby pledges its support for passage of the Wake Technical Community College bonds for the betterment of Wake County.

Adopted this 22nd Day of October 2026
 

Zebulon Chamber of Commerce Board Formally Supports the 2026 Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond

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