The Town of Maysville, North Carolina, is making significant progress in repurposing its historic train depot into a workforce training center. This transformation is made possible through a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation and a partnership with Lenoir Community College. Local officials anticipate that the project will have a lasting, positive impact on the community by providing valuable trade education opportunities.
According to Maysville Mayor Pro Tem Dan Ryan, the town explored multiple options for repurposing the train depot before deciding on a workforce training center. Ryan believes this decision is the best possible use for the building and that everything has come together perfectly to support the initiative.
The train depot has been without a defined purpose since 2007. For nearly two decades, town leaders sought an appropriate way to utilize the structure. In 2013, the depot was officially donated to the town, and after years of consideration, it is now set to become a hub for trade education. The facility will serve as a trade school in collaboration with Lenoir Community College, offering hands-on training in essential fields such as construction, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning.
Mayor Pro Tem Ryan expressed his excitement about the project, emphasizing how long the building has waited for a meaningful transformation. He views the initiative as a dream coming true for the town.
Town Manager Schumata Brown highlighted the importance of preserving the depot’s historical significance while also modernizing it to appeal to younger generations. He noted that the redevelopment efforts have balanced maintaining the building’s historical character with adding contemporary elements. Brown is eager to see the completed project, emphasizing the importance of finishing what they have started.
As construction progresses, officials remain optimistic about the facility’s future. They have announced that workforce training classes through Lenoir Community College are scheduled to begin in the summer. The newly repurposed train depot will provide students with valuable skills and contribute to the town’s economic growth by creating a skilled workforce.
