New $40M JCC Advanced Manufacturing Training Center Opens In Four Oaks

FOUR OAKS — Johnston County is stepping into the future of workforce development with the grand opening of the new Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility in Four Oaks. Local, county, and state leaders gathered September 26 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the $40 million, 67,000-square-foot education and training hub.

Operated by Johnston Community College (JCC), the facility will offer hands-on programs in welding, machining, and applied and mechanical engineering, equipping students with skills tailored to modern manufacturing needs. The center is expected to be a game-changer for economic development in the region, helping both to attract new industries and support the growth of existing businesses along the bustling I-95 corridor.

“This project represents a major step forward in Johnston County’s ongoing commitment to building a skilled workforce and preparing our citizens for high-quality, good-paying jobs,” said Johnston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Butch Lawter. “Investments like this provide life-changing opportunities for our residents.”

Located at 546 Boyette Road, near Exit 87 off I-95 and across from the Four Oaks Business Park, the facility sits on a 16-acre site owned by the Town of Four Oaks. It’s a key part of a larger regional vision spearheaded by the I-95/I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance, a collaborative effort between Four Oaks, Dunn, and surrounding counties to boost infrastructure, job creation, and workforce readiness in southern Johnston and northern Harnett counties.

The project broke ground in March 2023, following a unanimous decision by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners in late 2022 to approve up to $17.5 million in matching state funds for its development. Initially planned as a 60,000-square-foot facility, the final build expanded to 67,000 square feet to accommodate growing demand for skilled trade programs.

County Manager Rick Hester credited the project’s success to strong public-private collaboration. “This facility is the result of strong partnerships between our County, JCC, the Town of Four Oaks, the General Assembly, the Crossroads Alliance, and the business community,” Hester said.

In addition to its role in education, officials say the center will act as a catalyst for industry recruitment and retention across the region.

“This is more than just a training center,” added Chairman Lawter. “It is a place where innovation, education, and opportunity come together. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and look forward to the multigenerational impact this facility will have on our community.”

Classes at the new facility are scheduled to begin this fall.