Construction on the new telecommunications building began in spring 2003. The 20,000-square foot facility, designed by Kurt F. Lent, provides state-of-the-art educational resources for telecom/technology training.

The new building, a showpiece in architectural design, is anchored by an eight-sided structure that forms a hub for the facility. The octagon-shaped centerpiece contains administrative and faculty offices, conference room and lounge area. A wing of classrooms, with a second student lounge, extends north from the hub, which is designed to accommodate future wings as needed for expansion.

The facility contains eight traditional classrooms, a telephone switch classroom and two BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Service International) classrooms. BICSI qualifications are recognized throughout the world, and those who complete its requisite education and experience receive the coveted Registered Information Transport Systems designation.

The entire building is designed and decorated with a distinctive telephony décor.   Outside, the site incorporates additional training facilities that simulate conditions in the telephony workplace. Included in the external training grounds are a working utility maintenance hole (manhole), telephone pole field, station installation practice walls, and miles of buried and aerial telephone cable.

The $3.2 million facility is located on 15 acres in Lee County Industrial Park in the greater Sanford, N.C., area.