Funds for higher ed will bolster economy

An important Harper College building project was mentioned in a recent story about a political dispute between state Sen. Mike Noland and his opponent, Steve Rauschenberger, over campaign material. As the story pointed out, Harper is awaiting state capital funds to renovate our Engineering and Technology Center (Buildings G and H), which houses many of our career programs such as welding, HVAC, law enforcement, fire science, maintenance and architectural technology. Some of these programs have experienced double-digit enrollment increases as adults go back to school to train for new careers during the economic downturn.

The two 1970s-era buildings no longer have the space or the infrastructure to support these fast-growing programs. The renovation of the center has lingered on the community college capital funding list for the past 12 years but was recently added to the state's capital spending plan for 2010. We appreciate the support of our elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, as well as Senate President John Cullerton, in moving our project forward.

Once the money is released, the project will create 500 much-needed construction jobs immediately. But the primary beneficiary will be working adults who look to Harper to provide affordable, accessible and up-to-date training for new careers as well as local businesses that need a highly trained, technically proficient work force to compete in a global economy.

We urge all our elected officials to support programs and projects that help retrain workers for high-wage, high-growth jobs of the 21st century. The future economic recovery of the Northwest suburbs, the state and our nation depends on it.

Phil Burdick

Chief communications officer

Harper College

Palatine