Bob Merrill is co-owner of BC Machining in Brasstown, NC, a business that he started in 2006 and now employs six people, some of whom completed TCCC’s Machinist Training program.

 

Bob worked as a machinist for years and dreamed of owning his own machine shop. When Tri-County Community College began a training program for machinists in 2005, Bob was instrumental in helping the college and his employer develop the program and encourage incumbent worker training. Now his business produces outsourced products for his former employer and other manufacturers requiring aluminum parts.

 

“I don’t know if this business would have been possible without the help of TCCC.” According to Bob Merrill, the college’s Small Business Center Director, Cecilia Crawford, and the Business and Industry Services Director, Paul Worley, have been and continue to be critical. They helped with business loans to purchase over a half million dollars in equipment and assisted with recruiting for contracts. “The business assistance and networking that the college provides has proven to be invaluable in this small mountain community.”