Letter: Vote yes for trades training

This month, Lincoln County voters have an opportunity to have a trades education facility that will train local community members for in-demand, well-paying and transportable careers for today's and tomorrow's workforce.

Why vote yes?

• Constructs a building that serves the entire community in trades training. (Angell Job Corps in Yachats does an excellent job in serving the group of students it is charged with serving — 18 to 24-year-old individuals, predominantly from lower income backgrounds — but it cannot serve our general public.)

• Leverages additional funding for trades programs from federal, state and private sources.

• Assists the college in working in partnership with existing trades organizations, Lincoln County School District, Samaritan Health District, Georgia-Pacific, Lincoln County, ports and cities as well as the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

• Upon passage, the state will provide an $8 million dollar match.

• Does not raise taxes — continues with the same level of support as the expiring bond.

• Upgrades safety and technological infrastructure to current demands.

• College has a history of providing buildings on time and under budget.

Check out the letters of support in the voters pamphlet: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/5250/May-21-2024-Lincoln-County-Voters-Pamphlet

Still on the fence? Get the facts. Details on the Oregon Coast Community College bond measure are available at https://oregoncoast.edu/ocatt

Vote yes on OCCC Trades Measure 21-224.

Pat O'Connor

Co-Chair, Friends of OCCC

Past President of OCCC