It seems like Washtenaw County is being left out of some big technology investments. If you look at the headlines in just the past 48 hours, you will see the following:
October 5
Whitmer Announces New Battery Component Manufacturing Facility in Big Rapids
All of this is good news for Michigan, and it is good news for Oakland, Ottawa, Muskegon, Mecosta, and Wayne Counties. Washtenaw County could also have this kind of good economic news, but there’s a reason technology firms aren’t locating here.
These economic investments require skilled workers. Washtenaw Community College isn’t investing in its occupational and technical education programs, so we miss out on opportunities like this. There has been a long-term shift in focus at WCC from occupational and vocational education programs to two-year transfer programs. The disinvestment in these programs means that Washtenaw County is not a top choice for these kinds of economic opportunities.
While WCC’s Ann Arbor-centric administration and Board of Trustees focus almost exclusively on transfer programs, we lose the opportunity to diversify Washtenaw County’s economic base. That’s not just a loss for eastern Washtenaw County; it’s a loss for everyone.
Washtenaw County deserves more from WCC
And there’s no good reason for it. By the WCC Administration’s own admission, we’re in a rich community. We can afford to have the best occupational and technical education programs and facilities in Southeast Michigan. WCC’s four millages produce a “boatload of money.”
But the boatload of money the taxpayers have provided to create and improve these programs goes instead to adding more Vice Presidents and paying off the debts of a quasi-private health club. And when asked to produce ideas and plans, the best this administration can offer is a hotel and convention center. And a strip mall in the parking lots.
Where are the new programs? What is the WCC Administration’s plan for educational investment? How is yet another mid-tier chain hotel going to draw billion dollar investments and thousands of jobs into Washtenaw County?
Perhaps WCC’s next new Vice President will bring along some real ideas.
Photo Credit: State of Michigan
