For SW Idaho: Community College YES!

"This valley desperately needs a community college to train workers for high-demand jobs. Our economic future depends on it."
– Steve Appleton, Chairman, CEO and President, Micron Technology, Inc.

In two weeks, voters in Ada and Canyon Counties here in Idaho will go to the polls to vote on establishing a new community college district in the Boise metropolitan area. The Greater Boise area is the largest urban area in the country without a community college. My youngest son is in the 9th grade; of his classmates, current trends predict that only 34% will go to college.

As the Boise area continues to grow, we need to attract big companies to provide needed jobs. Employers will only move to a new area when there is a large enough pool of skilled candidates to work for them. The Boise area needs young people skilled in trades like welding and electronics to keep the economy growing at a fast enough rate to maintain our standard of living. A community college can fill this need.

I encourage all voters in Ada and Canyon Counties to vote "Yes" for the community college on May 22nd. Civic and business leaders have from groups to provide voters with the information they need to make an informed decision; you can find this information at Community College Yes and Community College Now. The investment we make in educating our youth will pay off manyfold in the long term -- a "Yes" vote is a vote to ensure the prosperous future of the Treasure Valley.

Update 0610 08 May: Adam Graham adds his thoughts on the community college.

Update 1653 08 May: Also adding their support are Julie from Red State Rebels, Tara A. Rowe from The Political Game, and Rep. Branden Durst.