WLBZ2, December 22, 2006
Editorial: Community Colleges
I'm Fred Nutter with this WLBZ 2 editorial.
Community Colleges in Maine need your support. Community College officials are developing a major bond request that will add new facilities and upgrade existing ones. Over the years bonded investment in our Community Colleges has benefited all of us. 96 percent of the graduates find work in Maine. Taxpayer investment is returned in full through increased income and sales tax revenues the new graduates pay.
Core industries, such as health care, hospitality, construction, security, electronics, targeted for growth, face worker shortage problems. Business expansion creates the need for high-skilled workers, critical for our future. The Community Colleges have and will continue to help move Maine into a competitive economy. But they can't do it without your support.
The system has a goal of 20.3 million to support an additional 4,000 students. Long range plans are to expand the student population from 12,500 today to 30,000 within ten years.
It has been said that Maine has a terrible business climate. One of the best ways to change that around is to support the Community College system where they train the future workers business and industry needs.
The system provides an affordable path to students who want to move on to advanced degrees. It will be up to the legislature to review the Community College bond proposal before sending it to the people for a final vote. The fact is the Community Colleges are stuffed with young people wanting to learn and succeed. When they do, we do.
That's our opinion we welcome yours.
Fred Nutter
Editorial Director
12/22/06