Maine Community College System Announces Rural Initiatives

December 19, 2007 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today joined officials from the Maine Community College System (MCCS), TD Banknorth and Cary Medical Center at the unveiling of a new set of initiatives by the community colleges to expand programs to rural Maine.

“I applaud the community colleges for focusing attention and resources on the specific needs of rural Maine,” said Governor Baldacci. “Education is key to strengthening Maine’s rural economy, and the community colleges are uniquely positioned to deliver programs and services that lead to a more highly skilled workforce and an improved quality of life.”

The Governor said the Community College System has made great strides in the past four years. “When I helped to create the community college system, I believed in its potential to make higher education more accessible and affordable,” said Governor Baldacci. “The Community College System has seen great success. Enrollments have increased rapidly. The system is making education more accessible across the state, and providing fundamental training that ensures that Maine has a highly skilled workforce that will attract new jobs and ensure long-term prosperity for our citizens.”

“This is an impressive record, but we cannot become complacent,” said the Governor. “There is more work to be done to ensure that Maine people have the opportunity to enhance their skills and education, and to ensure Maine’s workforce is fully prepared for the needs of Maine business.”

The Community College System initiatives include establishing a scholarship fund for people living in rural communities; establishing a new Bring College to ME program to deliver two-year degree programs on an intermittent basis to rural parts of the state based on industry need and student demand; expanding distance learning opportunities; and increasing access to the colleges for high school students.

The Governor credited the MCCS President, John Fitzsimmons, for talking to people in rural communities earlier this year to ask how the system could better meet their needs. The initiatives outlined by President Fitzsimmons today are important next steps in the ability to offer higher education and training opportunities to people in rural Maine. The Governor also thanked the Bernard Osher Foundation, the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation and the Betterment Fund for contributing significant funds to support the new programs.

“Maine’s community colleges are uniquely positioned to deliver programs and services that lead to a more highly skilled workforce, a stronger economy, and an improved quality of life,” said Governor Baldacci. “The community colleges have listened closely to the needs of rural Maine, and they have responded in a comprehensive way. I commend them for taking these steps and for working closely with the people of rural Maine to build a stronger future.”

For more information about the Maine Community College System, please visit http://www.mccs.me.edu

Source: Maine Governor

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