To remain competitive, Genesee Community College must grow and expand its facilities, college President Jim Sunser told the County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
The committee approved a $42.5-million Facilities Master Plan for the college.
Half the funds for the new buildings and improvements will come from state grants, Sunser explained, and while the county is technically on the hook for the other $21 million, GCC is uniquely positioned to quickly pay down any debt.
"This is a very responsible plan that not only moves us forward and continues to make us a competitive choice for students in the region, it will help ensure Genesee County students don't opt to go to one of the other schools," Sunser said.
GCC, he noted, competes for students with Erie, Niagara, Finger Lakes and Corning, and if a Genesee County student decides to attend one of those schools, the county must pay a fee to those other community colleges for each student that enrolls.
The neighboring community colleges have all recently made significant additions to their campuses.
"These colleges have made improvements and are already ahead of us in terms of square footage and services," Sunser said.
However, because GCC is the only community college in the GLOW region, it draws students -- and revenue -- from neighboring counties, which is one way the college can help pay for upgraded facilities.
The other, he said, is the successful GCC Foundation, which does a good job of raising funds to support the college.
Even though the college will come back to the Legislature to seek approval for specific projects under the plan, it's important that the entire plan be approved now so the college is in line for state funding as it becomes available.
Getting into the queue now, Sunser said, will make fundraising easier.
The two big components of the facilities plan include:
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A "student success center," which will be a "front door" for new and current students;
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A multipurpose college and community event center, which will help bring more events -- with greater economic impact -- to the community.
The new buildings will also help free up more of GCC's existing space for instructional use.