By Eric Gren, Hamilton
Bitterrooters would be wise to ensure that Bitterroot College can continue to serve our community. But to simply discount the financial concern on many voters’ minds would be a big mistake. It’s a real concern and it deserves an honest response. Let’s face it—no one likes new taxes, and keeping our community college will cost something. The proposed mil levy will cost $11.95 per year per $100k taxable residential value and will enable Bitterroot College to be independent and viable instead of existing at the mercy of Missoula. I dislike taxes as much as the next voter. But we should look at this as an investment. It’s an investment in our children and grandchildren, first and foremost. But it’s also an investment in our local economy.
Here are the facts: For every $1 invested in a community college, an average $6.8 returns to the local economy. That sounds unbelievable but that’s what communities across the country are reporting. It’s a combination of fewer demands on social services, tax revenue from businesses who start or expand because of a better-trained workforce, and state funds coming back to the local communities. Does this pattern hold true here in Montana? Absolutely. One example is Flathead Valley Community College, an integral anchor in Kalispell for over 50 years, that has helped them develop a vibrant, diversified, and resilient local economy. But could a smaller community like our Bitterroot Valley really support its own community college? Yes! Some great examples are Dawson Community College in Glendive (4,935 residents), which serves about 400 students, and Miles City (8,410 residents) whose community college has closer to 500 students. Both of these counties have smaller tax bases than Ravalli County but they chose to invest in locally-controlled community colleges and it paid off! Even fiscally conservative voters saw that the returns a community college provided far outweighed the investment.
Let’s keep it local and reap the benefits of an independent, locally-controlled community college.