LANSING – State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) today announced that he is working to secure additional funding for Lake Superior State University and North Central Michigan College, which will be used to construct the facilities the schools need to prepare students for the 21st century global workforce.
"Our classrooms need to be equipped with the most up-to-date technology available if our students are going to succeed in the workplace of the future," McDowell said. "This additional funding will ensure that Northern Michigan schools will be capable of creating a highly trained, highly skilled workforce that will entice companies to locate here and create good-paying jobs for our residents."
Lake Superior State University is looking to build a 45,000-square-foot instructional facility for its School of Business, Economics and Legal Studies. The entire project would cost about $14.75 million, and McDowell is hoping to secure around $11 million. North Central Michigan College is planning construction and renovations to support 4-year programs and nursing and general classrooms. The project is expected to cost about $16.32 million, and McDowell is hoping to secure around $8.16 million.
The funds would come from the Capital Outlay budget, which covers the maintenance and construction of state buildings. McDowell noted that both projects have already been included in Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's Executive Recommendation for this fiscal year, and that he will do all he can to ensure that the projects receive final approval.
"Competition for jobs will only grow more and more intense as we head further into the 21st century," McDowell said. "The students of today will not only be competing for the jobs of tomorrow with other Michigan students – they'll be competing with workers from all over the world. We cannot let our technology and our facilities become outdated as we work to prepare our students for the good-paying jobs of the future."