GREENVILLE – The technology involved in East Carolina University’s proposed Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building is far from simple.  But the goal isn’t.

“We can make a major difference on Eastern North Carolina,” ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard says in the accompanying video.

The Connect NC bonds on the ballot March 15 include $90 million for the 150,000 square-foot structure, which would encompass pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, bioprocessing, biomedical engineering and biology.

For Ballard, the big words boil down to one thing:  Student success.

“That’s our number-one goal – it’s the first promise we make for 28,000 students,” he says.

Officials at ECU project that the Life Sciences/Biotechnology effort would boost R&D funding in Eastern North Carolina and produce a whole new cadre of researchers and scientists.

It would help ECU grads land higher-than-average starting salaries, stay in the East and eventually add their own entrepreneurial and industrial investments to the region.

“This bond package will be huge for the East – and the East needs more economic engines,” Ballard says.  “This bond will be critical for our ability to move forward in economic development for Eastern North Carolina.”