RALEIGH, N.C. (October 19, 2026) – Wake County voters will consider a $149.1 million bond for Wake Technical Community College on November 3. The Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond would expand training in public safety, skilled trades, automotive technology and healthcare while renewing classrooms, technology and infrastructure across the college.

"Wake County's growth is increasing demand for people with the skills to keep our communities safe, care for our families and support our economy," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "These investments would give Wake Tech more capacity to prepare students for those careers while updating the facilities and technology that support their learning."

The proposal includes $41 million for workforce program expansion:

• $20 million for public safety to help complete the Fire and Rescue Training Center at Eastern Wake Campus, including classrooms, simulation and decontamination labs, flexible training space, equipment and an apparatus bay
• $12 million for skilled trades to expand welding, electrical systems and HVAC labs on Southern Wake Campus, along with ventilation and cooling upgrades
• $5 million for Automotive Systems Technology to expand at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on Scott Northern Wake Campus, supporting electric vehicle and manufacturer training programs
• $2 million for Dental Hygiene to improve the lecture hall, simulation lab and clinic at Perry Health Sciences Campus
• $2 million for planning for future expansion of Conlon Western Wake Campus

Another $65 million would renovate facilities at Southern Wake Campus, Wake Tech's original campus, where many buildings have served students for decades. The investment would update aging classrooms, labs and infrastructure while strengthening spaces used for Diesel & Heavy Equipment Systems Technology, engineering and architecture, Construction Management Technology and other programs.

The remaining $43.1 million would support collegewide renewal. That includes $20.4 million for building systems, safety, security, accessibility, roads, parking and wayfinding, and $22.7 million for technology infrastructure, equipment, software, vehicles and specialized learning spaces.

"These projects address both immediate workforce needs and the condition of facilities that serve students every day," Ralls said. "They would help Wake Tech continue to meet the needs of a growing county."

For more information about the proposed bond, visit waketech.edu/2026bond.