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Garrett College requests county support for $4M renovation, highlights new Rad Tech program and enrollment gains
Summary
Garrett College told commissioners it is asking the county to help fund a roughly $4 million renovation (county previously committed $2.5 million); college leaders highlighted enrollment growth, new allied-health programs including a radiologic technology program launching this summer, and offered $500,000 in college fund balance toward the capital project if the county funds an additional $1 million.
Garrett College representatives presented the institution's FY26 priorities and a capital request during the April 22 session.
A college presenter described academic and facility achievements over recent years and emphasized new program launches. "We added a professional technical degree for working students" and the college plans to launch a radiologic technology program this summer; the presenter said the program will enroll about 15 full-time students in its first cohort and will be the only community-college rad-tech program in the region.
On facilities, the college said the commissioners have already committed $2.5 million toward a $4 million renovation covering portions of the 600 and 700 buildings; the presenter said the state was unable to fund the remaining $1.5 million and that the college board has offered an additional $500,000 from fund balance if the county can fund the remaining $1 million. "We are making a big ask of the county in a renovation project," the presenter said.
College speakers also outlined enrollment and retention gains: headcount was up and residence-hall occupancy rose from 77 beds in 2021 to 152 in spring 2025. The presenter linked athletic and program growth to out-of-county enrollment that contributes tuition and residence-hall revenue.
Trustee Kurt Heckman was acknowledged in the room during the presentation. Commissioners had no substantive objections on the record and the presentation concluded with the college's budget ask to be considered as part of the county's FY26 deliberations.
