Who We Are
The BEST Center of Eastern NC is currently under construction at The Campus at 587 in Wilson, North Carolina. Once opened in early 2027, Wilson Community College will offer hands-on academic courses and industry training on automated manufacturing, maintenance of facilities and equipment, laboratory testing, and quality assurance for bioindustrial and medical products. Initial funding included $30 Million from the North Carolina General Assembly for the facility and $13 Million from Golden LEAF Foundation for laboratory and drug substance process equipment. In early 2026, NC Governor Josh Stein announced that Johnson & Johnson’s second Wilson project will be supported by an expected legislative appropriation of $12 Million to expand the BEST Center’s original design to include drug product manufacturing.
What Makes Us Different
Industry-aligned training: Programs are developed with direct input from life science manufacturing employers.
Hands-on learning: Students train in labs that simulate regulated production environments.
Flexible pathways: From middle school awareness programs to incumbent worker training and university transfer options.
Regional collaboration: Partnerships with community colleges, universities, high schools, and industry leaders across North Carolina.
Facilities and Resources
The BEST Center will feature advanced training spaces focused on biomanufacturing, including fermentation, cell culture, recovery, purification, aseptic bulk filling, and drug product manufacturing. Testing laboratories and simulated controlled environments, production workflows, and specialized equipment allow learners to experience procedures relevant to all life science manufacturing companies.
Customized Training
The NC Edge Customized Training Program was established to provide resources to meet those demands by offering education, training, and support services for eligible new, expanding, and existing business and industry in North Carolina.
Industry Partnerships
Wilson Community College relies on industry partners to help keep our curricula relevant, enhance classroom instruction, and engage with students. The BEST Center Advisory Board provides oversight to this effort.