The Role of Community Colleges in Economic Development

Steve Griffitts, PresidentJoe Dunlap, Ed.D., President

Jobs Plus – MissionTo expand and diversify the economic and employment base of Kootenai County while maintaining the quality of life synonymous with Kootenai County

North Idaho College – Mission

To meet the diverse educational needs of students, employers, and the northern Idaho communities it serves through a commitment to student success, educational excellence, community engagement, and lifelong learning.

Idaho Community College Mission

Community colleges are an integral and vital component of higher education in Idaho. Idaho community colleges provide the citizens with high-quality, accessible, affordable, educational opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, develop a competent workforce, and improve the lives and well being of the people in the state and communities they serve.

The purpose of the relationship between North Idaho College and Jobs Plus is to fulfill the mission of improving the quality of life in North Idaho.

Principles of Economic Development

Improve quality and wealth of a communityCompelling vibrant visionWorkforce developmentFlexibilityBe proactive – deliver what you say you will

Role of Community CollegeTraditionally recognized for vocational

education and fulfillment of job training Today widely recognized for providing:

management and technical assistance for new and small businesses

tech-prep programs with high schoolscooperative education programspartnerships with states in economic

development activitiescontract or customized training for industry

Future roles

Economic Development ExamplesInternally driven

College of Aviation Science, Western Michigan University

Externally drivenAvista Entrepreneurship Program

Partnership drivenAerospace Center of Excellence in Aviation

Maintenance and Advanced Manufacturing $3 million grant More than 500 new jobs by 2015 – average salary of

$43,500 $28.8 million annual impact to the local economy

Jobs Plus Strategies

Retaining quality companies already operating in Kootenai County

Recruiting companies to our area that sell on a national or international basis, are not location dependent, offer strong wages and benefits and are respectful of our environmental concerns

Reduce property tax in communities

Jobs Plus Impact

93 Companies Since 1987 5,445 Jobs Created $54 Million in Property Taxes Paid

2011 $4.9 Million in Property Taxes Paid Five Companies

Job Retention/Existing Companies

Jobs Plus ImpactOverall Job Growth (Feb. 2011 to Feb. 2012)

2,200Diverse Sectors• Healthcare• Wholesale Trade• Manufacturing• Construction• Leisure & Hospitality• Professional & Business Services

North Idaho College StrategiesImproving access

E-learningDual credit

AlignmentPartnering with business and industryCollaborative efforts of Idaho community

collegesAccountability

Engaging community stakeholders in strategic planning

North Idaho College ImpactBenefit/cost ratio for taxpayers 1.5

includes students’ ultimate investment in region as wage earners

Faculty and staff (employees) investment in the region

Spending by students from outside the regionHigher income of former students who are still active

in the regional workforceOverall annual economic impact for region - $164

million

North Idaho College Impact

Enriches the lives of studentsIncreases students’ lifetime incomeGenerates government revenueReduces the demand for social servicesContributes to the growth of the economy

Drivers Impacting the EconomyCoeur d’Alene Tribe

2,700 Employed$309 Million Economic ImpactMillions Invested in Expansion

Kootenai Health1,892 Employed$275 Million Economic Impact

Manufacturing Leadership7,000 Employed$42 Million Annual Wages/Benefits

Drivers Impacting the EconomyAerospace Cluster

Empire Airlines326 Employed

Hagadone Corporation2,300 EmployedTens of Millions in Investment in 2011

Solarwinds (Tri-Geo)Security SoftwareInfancy to Sale

Questions