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August 3 ballot initiative would strengthen St. Louis Community College system, invest in future workforce in critical job sectors
Greater St. Louis, Inc. and the Regional Business Council announced today their endorsement of Proposition R, an initiative on the August 3, 2021, ballot that will fund necessary updates to facilities and programs for St. Louis Community College (STLCC) and its students.
St. Louis Community College plays a critical role in creating equitable access to career opportunities by upskilling and reskilling workers in critical industries like those we’ve identified in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, including health care, information technology, financial services, biotechnology, and manufacturing. Those are growth sectors for the St. Louis region, and we need to make sure they have the resources and brainpower they need to grow. That’s why we are endorsing Proposition R.
Proposition R, a proposed eight-cent operating rate increase for STLCC — the first in nearly 40 years — is an investment that will allow STLCC to better serve students and the St. Louis region. If approved by voters, Proposition R would provide funding to:
- Update career training programs and facilities to enable job growth in critical industries for the St. Louis region including health care, information technology, financial services, biotechnology, and manufacturing.
- Provide real-world learning environments where the technology in the classroom matches the tools students will use in the workplace.
- Expand up-to-date best practices in job training and retraining that will contribute to career development opportunities for students and employers in the region.
- Renovate existing facilities to repurpose underutilized space to meet the needs of today’s students.
- Continue to provide safe and secure learning environments for students, employees, and the community.
Proposition R directly aligns with the STL.works program, which helps connect people in our community with careers in health care, technology, manufacturing, and the trades. These jobs don’t require a four-year degree, and that’s what makes our community college system one of our strongest regional assets. The investments made by passing Proposition R will pay off many times over in the future.
St. Louis Community College’s four campuses and two educational centers serve residents in St. Louis City and County, and parts of Franklin and Jefferson counties.
About The Regional Business Council
The Regional Business Council (RBC) is a consortium of presidents and chief executive officers of some of St. Louis’ largest public and privately held companies. The mission of the RBC is to unite and engage members to act on high-impact business, civic and philanthropic affairs for the betterment of the St. Louis region.