LCCC Issue 17… LCCC is Real Education for Good Jobs

The operating issue on the March 17 ballot (Issue 17) will ensure the continued effectiveness of Lorain County Community College. With the highest student success rate among Ohio community colleges, LCCC serves more than 10,000 students each year, along with 3,000 plus students taking University Partnership courses to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

LCCC is critical to the economy, delivering programs that people need to prepare for the jobs of today in healthcare, information technology, engineering, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades and business. Additionally, LCCC partners with area employers to keep our workforce up to date. Over 85% of LCCC graduates live and work in the region.

“Issue 17 for LCCC is essential to keep higher education access affordable and degree programs relevant to the changing economy. This levy established LCCC as Ohio’s first community college in 1963. It was last updated in 2010 and expires in 2020. We respectfully ask the community to continue its support for another 10 years by passing Issue 17 to keep LCCC strong so that we can continue the impact LCCC makes on our community. Since inception, 50% of families have attended LCCC, 85% of graduates live and work in our community building our economy and 61% of Lorain County high school graduates start their college experience at LCCC. Furthermore, LCCC is the top producer of our community’s first responders and healthcare professionals that keep our community safe and healthy. We are proud of this impact and the return on investment delivered to taxpayers. For every $1 of taxpayer support for LCCC, $14 is returned in economic benefit. Issue 17 is good for everyone in our community.” – Marcia Ballinger, Ph.D., President, Lorain County Community College

The Facts: LCCC’s March 17 Issue

• The community has supported LCCC since 1963, when the first general operating levy was passed that created the College as the first community college in Ohio.
• LCCC’s general operating levy, last updated in 2010, expires December 2020.
• The LCCC District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place the issue on the March 17, 2020 ballot.
• Voters will be asked to renew the existing 1.8 mills operating levy and add 0.5 mills for a ten-year term (not permanent).
• This equates to an additional investment of $1.46 per month per $100,000 in property value.
• For every $1 spent by taxpayers on education at LCCC, the College provides $14 in economic benefit to the community.

Issue 17: Why This Ballot Issue is Critical

Our economy is transforming – in the next five years, more than 65% of jobs will require education beyond high school.

More than ever, we need to keep LCCC strong.

The funds will be used to:

• Keep education affordable and high quality.
• Keep university transfer programs strong.
• Protect College Credit Plus.
• Develop new programs and services necessary for high demand careers.
• Keep technology and labs up to date.

Without this ballot issue:

• LCCC will be forced to cut the budget by 12%.
• Existing programs will be reduced.
• Limited development of new training programs critical to the jobs of the future.

For more information, please contact us at 440-366-4073.

Did You Know? 12 Quick LCCC Stats

1. Serves 1 in 4 county residents, impacting more than 50% of Lorain County Households.
2. More than 15,000 students enroll each year, plus an additional 3,000 through the University Partnership who are earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
3. Highest student success of any community college in Ohio and is recognized nationally.
4. 94% increase in the number of people earning degrees and certificates since 2011.
5. 43% of Lorain County high school students graduate with LCCC credits through College Credit Plus – saving families $6.5 million.
6. 61% of Lorain County high school graduates start their college experience with LCCC.
7. Lowest tuition for Lorain County residents.
8. More than 85% of LCCC grads live and work in the region; LCCC is among the top 2 community colleges in Ohio for return on investment for graduates in terms of earnings post-graduation.
9. LCCC offers the University Partnership with 14 partners delivering over 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees and was the first community college in Ohio to offer an applied bachelor’s degree.
10. #1 in the county for first responder and healthcare education.
11. Delivers programs for seniors, veterans, youth and local businesses that keep Lorain County strong.
12. LCCC partners with hundreds of area employers to deliver programs for the jobs of today – keeping our workforce strong; creating and retaining thousands of good jobs.