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Creator
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. R3 Center
Size
2.14 megabytes (7 files, 2.14 megabytes)
Call number
MC 00131

The R3 Center Records consist of reports, presentations, a newspaper article, a brochure, and a poem documenting Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's (RCCC) efforts to retrain and re-employ workers displaced by the 2003 closing of the Pillowtex textile manufacturing plant in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Known as the Pillowtex Project, this initiative was intended to provide the displaced workers with the training and education necessary to obtain new jobs. The success of this project led to the September 2006 development and implementation of the R3 Center, a partnership between RCCC and the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC), which prepares workers for new biotechnology jobs at the NCRC. Most of the materials document the outcomes of the Pillowtex Project, rather than the planning or process. The materials range in date from 2004 to 2006, although the date of individual items is sometimes unclear.

Kannapolis, North Carolina, was once home to Cannon Mills, at one time the largest manufacturer of sheets and towels in the world. James William Cannon founded Cannon mills in 1906. After several ownership changes throughout the 1980s, the Pillowtex Corporation acquired the mills in 1997. In 2003, Pillowtex Corporation closed its doors, laying off 4,340 people living in Kannapolis or the counties surrounding the city. In December 2004, David Murdock purchased the former Cannon Mills Plant One at auction and in 2005, in partnership with the University of North Carolina system, announced plans for the North Carolina Research Campus, a 1.5 billion dollar scientific and economic revitalization project. As part of this effort, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College developed and implemented the R3 (Refocus, Retrain, Reemploy) Center at the NCRC, designed to train a local workforce for opportunities at the NCRC.

Biographical/historical note

Kannapolis, North Carolina, was once home to Cannon Mills, at one time the largest manufacturer of sheets and towels in the world. James William Cannon founded Cannon mills in 1906. After several ownership changes throughout the 1980s, the Pillowtex Corporation acquired the mills in 1997. In 2003, Pillowtex Corporation closed its doors, laying off 4,340 people living in Kannapolis or the counties surrounding the city. In December 2004, David Murdock purchased the former Cannon Mills Plant One at auction and in 2005, in partnership with the University of North Carolina system, announced plans for the North Carolina Research Campus, a 1.5 billion dollar scientific and economic revitalization project. As part of this effort, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College developed and implemented the R3 (Refocus, Retrain, Reemploy) Center at the NCRC, designed to train a local workforce for opportunities at the NCRC.

Scope/content

The R3 Center Records consist of reports, presentations, a newspaper article, a brochure, and a poem documenting Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's (RCCC) efforts to retrain and re-employ workers displaced by the 2003 closing of the Pillowtex textile manufacturing plant in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Known as the Pillowtex Project, this initiative was intended to provide the displaced workers with the training and education necessary to obtain new jobs. The success of this project led to the September 2006 development and implementation of the R3 Center, a partnership between RCCC and the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC), which prepares workers for new biotechnology jobs at the NCRC. Most of the materials document the outcomes of the Pillowtex Project, rather than the planning or process. The materials range in date from 2004 to 2006, although the date of individual items is sometimes unclear.

Arrangement

Digital materials arranged as received.

Use of these materials

The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.

The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], R3 Center Records, MC 00131, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Source of acquisition

Gift of R3 Center, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, 2009 (Accession 2009.0051)

Processing information

Processed by Jonathan Holloway; machine readable finding aid created by Jonathan Holloway, 2011 May

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
"Far From Threadbare" poem undated

Access to Collection

The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

League of Innovation Submission 2004
Access to Collection

The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

"Moving from Textiles to Biotech" presentation undated
Access to Collection

The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

Pillowtex Project Summary of Outcomes undated
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The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

Pillowtex Project Evolution undated
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The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

Pillowtex Timeline 2008 July 26
Access to Collection

The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

Employment and Training Administration Recognition of Excellence brochure 2005
Access to Collection

The Special Collections Research Center will provide copies of these digital files to patrons, but cannot guarantee that these files will open.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.

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Mailing address:
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Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], R3 Center Records, MC 00131, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.

The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.