Construction would begin in July 2024 and be completed in December 2025
Monroe County Community College officials hosted a roundtable discussion today with state legislators and regional leaders in healthcare and law enforcement to present plans and get feedback on a proposed renovation and expansion of the college’s Welch Health Education Building for which the college is seeking funding support from the state of Michigan.
This project, estimated at $16.1 million, would add critically needed classroom and laboratory spaces for MCCC’s Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant and Respiratory Therapy programs, as well as add classroom and laboratory space to allow for the creation of new programs and the forging of new partnerships with area healthcare providers, said Josh Myers, executive director of The Foundation at MCCC and director of governmental and alumni affairs.
The college’s Criminal Justice program would also be relocated into the building, Myers said, with dedicated space to ultimately expand the program into an accredited police, fire and paramedic academy, resulting in a proposed change of the building’s name to the Welch Center for Health and Public Safety.
Four legislators participated in the meeting, including Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), Rep. Will Bruck (R-Erie), Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Belleville) and Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown Township).
Area healthcare and law enforcement representatives in attendance included Alicia Wafer, director of critical care support services, Henry Ford Hospital; Nicholas Prush, Respiratory Therapy program director, University of Michigan – Flint; Lt. Stephen Borello, post commander, Michigan State Police - Monroe Post; Kelley McMillan, interim assistant chief nursing officer, Corewell Health East; Allie Meyer, director of regional government relations, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital; Bob Van Klingeren, Bedford Township fire chief; Beyonka Swain-Mills, senior executive director for professional development, Michigan State Police; Kevin Pooley, retired Sylvania, Ohio police officer and criminal justice instructor at MCCC; Ken Laird, Monroe County Firefighters Association; Frank Nagle, director of community impact, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital; First Lt. Brian Buege, commander, recruiting and selection, Michigan State Police, and Ken Piaga, recruiting manager, Michigan State Police.
Myers was joined by MCCC President Dr. Kojo A Quartey, officials in the areas of Instruction, Health Sciences and Humanities/Social Sciences, faculty, and a student in making the case for funding for the expansion and renovation of the facility.
MCCC has submitted the renovation project to the state of Michigan as a capital outlay funding request in the 2024 fiscal year budget, Myers said.
Construction would begin in July 2024 and be completed in December 2025.
For projects approved through the state’s capital outlay process, colleges and universities must dedicate a cost-share to receive the funding. Community colleges must provide at least 50 percent of the approved project costs, while universities have a lower threshold of 30 percent up to a maximum of $30 million. Community colleges are required to contribute a higher match rate due to their ability to levy local tax millages.
“The Welch Center for Health and Public Safety is a shovel-ready project, “ Myers said. “MCCC already has the funding to cover the college’s required match.”
MCCC currently has only a 4-bed nursing skills lab that meets the needs of three programs serving more than 160 students, Myers said. The Respiratory Therapy program serves up to 60 students annually using just a 3-bed station.
Due to space issues, the Practical Nursing program is housed in another building and delivers its entire curriculum in a combined classroom and lab with only three stations.
“This renovation will add three new fully operational nursing labs with a total of 18 beds and two respiratory labs with six beds and would also allow for the relocation and expansion of MCCC’s growing criminal justice program,” Myers said.
“Training our healthcare and public safety workforce critical for the health and safety of our communities,” said MCCC President Dr. Kojo A . Quartey. “This project will ensure that we meet this critical need and also serve as an economic catalyst through high-paying construction jobs.”
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich lives in our community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave., Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.
Lt. Stephen Borello, post commander, Michigan State Police - Monroe Post; Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Belleville), Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown Township); Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe); Rep. Will Bruck (R-Erie), First Lt. Brian Buege, commander, recruiting and selection, Michigan State Police, and Ken Laird of the Monroe County Firefighters Association gather for a photo after a legislative roundtable at Monroe County Community College.
Kelley McMillan, interim assistant chief nursing officer, Corewell Health East speaks about the education needs of frontline health care workers at a legislative roundtable at Monroe County Community College.