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Alpena Community College seeks $1.25 million for 34 new student beds to support programs
Summary
Alpena Community College President Don McMaster requested $1.25M to add 34 campus beds (project total $4.7M) to serve dual‑enrolled and occupational students who travel long distances, arguing it will support workforce programs and free up local housing.
Alpena Community College President Don McMaster and Rep. Cabot told the committee the college needs $1,250,000 in state funding to finish a student housing project that would add 34 beds to the existing 64‑bed facility.
McMaster said the college already has $3.5M raised toward a $4.7M project and cited outcomes data (higher graduation and transfer rates) and workforce arguments: Alpena supplies many line workers needed after recent storms and hosts statewide training events. He said more than half of the college’s fall enrollment is dual‑enrolled K–12 students and that many prospective students travel long distances; without housing they cannot attend programmatic offerings such as construction, welding and nursing.
Committee members probed timing, matching funds and occupancy projections; McMaster said design is complete, the project could be done in about a year if state support is secured, and the college is prepared to borrow if necessary. No formal action was taken at the hearing.
