The City of Rock Hill announced it is committing $250,000 from its economic development fund to York Technical College to help ensure local students have access to opportunities created by the region’s economic growth. The one-time investment will support the College’s efforts to develop programs and training aligned with emerging industries and future-focused careers, including life sciences.
“This investment is a shared commitment to ensuring the people who live here are prepared to participate in and benefit from the economic opportunities being created right here in York County,” said Dr. Stacey Moore, president of York Technical College. “The City of Rock Hill has been a valued partner and supporter of York Tech and our mission for decades. We are deeply grateful for that partnership and for the City’s continued belief in the importance of creating opportunities for our people and communities.”
York Tech is developing South Carolina’s first life sciences training center and recently purchased the former Rock Hill Business Technology Center, which will serve as a site for life sciences training, health and human services programs, building construction trades, and other program areas aligned with local workforce needs.
The investment comes at a critical time for Rock Hill and York County, as life sciences and other emerging industries bring new opportunities to the region. With Octapharma’s planned $1.5 billion biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility at the Palmetto Research Park, York Technical College is expanding its role in preparing the skilled workforce needed to support life sciences and biomanufacturing. The project is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs.
“Our responsibility is to help people access opportunities that allow them to define and pursue success for themselves,” Dr. Moore said. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to the businesses and industries that are investing in our region to ensure they have the skilled workforce they need. This significant contribution from the City helps us continue doing both.”
Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys emphasized the need to ensure that economic development creates opportunities for local residents, noting York Technical College’s long-standing role in preparing the community for what’s ahead.
York Technical College’s workforce role extends beyond life sciences. The College serves as a regional workforce development partner for the Carolinas Grid Engine, a National Science Foundation-supported initiative spanning 36 counties in North and South Carolina. Through certificates, apprenticeships, and degree programs in industrial and engineering technologies, York Technical College will prepare workers for the modernization of the electric grid.
Through innovation and strong collaboration with employers, community partners, and local leaders, the College will continue preparing the region and it’s people for what’s next.
The City of Rock Hill is also providing a $250,000 one-time gift to Winthrop University, recognizing the important role both institutions play in serving the Rock Hill community.
About York Technical College
As a public, two-year institution, York Technical College offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in over 100 programs of study, as well as an award-winning program that will allow you to transfer to a four-year institution. Founded in 1964 with just 60 students, York Technical College now welcomes between 5,000 to 7,000 credit students each year at its main campus in Rock Hill, South Carolina, as well as its off-campus center in Chester, South Carolina.
Media Contact: Amanda Kaufmann, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, York Technical College Email: AKaufmann@yorktech.edu Cell: 803-280-3242