Monroe County Community College leaders ask commissioners to support millage renewal, cite enrollment gains and economic impact

Monroe County Community College officials briefed the Board of Commissioners on campus enrollment gains and economic impact and urged support for a county millage renewal that will appear on the November ballot.

A college representative, joined by Vice President for Student Success Scott Behrends and Vice President for Finance and Administration Frank Thomas, told commissioners the college is ranked in the top 9% of community colleges nationwide and cited a $363,000,000 annual economic impact on the region.

Nut graf: The presentation said overall enrollment was up 7% year over year, total credit hours rose 9.3%, first-time college student enrollment increased 17%, and the college added 10 new programs including radiography and paralegal studies. Leaders described MCCC as the county's primary higher-education option for local graduates and called the upcoming millage a renewal, not a new tax.

The representative said the college supplies more than $500,000 in foundation scholarships and emphasized improved completion rates for Pell and non-Pell students. Commissioners responded with acknowledgement and the representative asked for continued support of the millage renewal.

Ending: The college framed the renewal as essential for maintaining current programs and services; commissioners did not take a formal vote on the millage but received the presentation and public comment in support of renewal.