AUGUSTA, Maine — Citizens for Higher Education, a bipartisan group of Maine business and community leaders, has launched a statewide campaign to secure passage of Bond Question 5 on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Question 5 will ask voters: “Do you favor a $15,500,000 bond issue to upgrade buildings, classrooms and laboratories on the seven campuses of the Maine Community College System in order to increase capacity to serve more students through expanded programs in health care, precision machining, information technology, criminal justice and other key programs?”
The funds will enable the colleges to expand degree programs that are most requested by both students and employers.
Citizens for Higher Education began airing the first of several TV ads two weeks ago. The ad profiles David Richardson of Ludlow, who lost his job in a local mill when his son was just a few days old. Richardson enrolled in a precision machining program at Northern Maine Community College, earned his degree, and is now employed at Bison Pumps in Houlton.
“Voting ‘Yes’ on 5 will build classrooms and add capacity so that thousands of Mainers will have the same opportunities I had,” said Richardson, noting that community colleges were “a lifeline” for him and his young family.
If approved, Question 5 would enable the state’s community colleges to prepare more students for high wage/high demand jobs.
As the group notes, even though the community colleges have grown 83 percent over the past decade, many students are still waiting to enroll and graduate. This logjam has serious implications for students, their families, and for employers who need more workers with the skills taught at the community colleges.
Should voters OK the bond question, funds will include $900,000 for NMCC. The funds would enable NMCC to convert Aroostook Hall into classrooms, labs and offices that would allow the college to expand its allied health programs including community paramedicine, emergency medical services and health information technology. Funds would also be used for energy efficiencies and the purchase of new classroom equipment.
“NM plays a vital role in the economic development of Aroostook County by training tomorrow’s workforce using the most up-to-date technology, and we consult with industry leaders who recommend program improvements,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley. “Since health care jobs are projected to grow in this region, it’s vital that we keep up with the demand.
“Some monies from Bond No. 5 will also be set aside for the precision metals manufacturing program — another area for potential job increases,” he said. “We need to grow the workforce in these areas if we are to attract new jobs to the region. This bond is essential to the growth of Aroostook County.”
In addition to television commercials, Citizens for Higher Education has also created a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-grow-Maines-economy/369236726541578). A list of the projects to be funded at each of Maine’s community colleges is available at www.mccs.me.edu/ bond2013.html.
