SUMMARY: Yavapai Community College’s methods for raising money for major capital projects:
Dr. Clint Ewell, Vice President of Finance at Yavapai Community College, presented the cash flow requirements for the upcoming academic year during the February 2024 meeting of the District Governing Board. He explained the financial needs of the Community College, detailing the amount of additional funding required and the intended allocation within the 2024-2025 budget.
To fulfill what it anticipates as its financial obligations, the Governing Board is being asked to consider approving a 4% increase in the County property tax rate, building upon last year’s 4% increase, and extending the deadline for final payments on existing revenue bonds. Furthermore, the issuance of a new $14 million revenue bond is deemed necessary. Dr. Ewell utilized the following slide to articulate the Community College’s fiscal position on this issue.
Dr. Ewell disclosed that due to the College’s inability to secure grant funding for 90% of the highly anticipated Health Science Center on the Prescott Valley Campus, he proposed a revised timeline for the project, postponing it from August 2024 to 2027. Under this new timeline, he specified that 50% of the funding would be sourced from the College’s own reserves, a significant increase from the original 10%, while the remaining 50% would be sought from grants and donations.
Additionally, Dr. Ewell recommended expediting the expansion of housing to align with the Campus Master Plan’s recommended capacity. However, as the College has unexpectedly removed the Campus Master Plan from its website, the exact financial implications of this recommendation remain unclear.
PRESS RELEASE FROM GATEWAY COLLEGE:
By GateWay Community College
Jan 17, 2024
In a transformative moment for Phoenix, GateWay Community College (GWCC) is poised to lead the charge into the future with its revolutionary Electric Vehicle (EV) program. In collaboration with Legacy EV, a market leader in aftermarket EV applications, the program positions GateWay as a leader in EV education. Legacy EV’s expertise in electric vehicle technology and commitment to fostering innovation makes them an ideal collaborator for this groundbreaking venture.
“I am proud of GateWay and Legacy EV’s commitment to innovation through the Electric Vehicle program. Together, we are educating students and developing the talent that will drive the electric automobile revolution,” said Amy Diaz, Ed.D., president, GateWay Community College.
Arizona’s EV dominance
According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center of the U.S. Department of Energy, Arizona has emerged as a dominant force in EV and battery manufacturing, ranking seventh in the U.S. for number of registered electric vehicles. Significant players like Tesla, Lucid Motors, Nikola, Li-Cycle and ElectraMeccanica have invested over $58 billion in private funds since 2021, solidifying the state’s status as a top player in the EV and battery industries for years to come.
Economic impact and employment opportunities
GateWay’s EV program is a forward-thinking effort crucial to meeting the rising demand for skilled EV technicians. As part of Arizona’s dynamic EV manufacturing ecosystem, the program aligns seamlessly with Phoenix’s commitment to transportation electrification and a sustainable future. Karen Apple, electric vehicles program manager with the city of Phoenix, emphasizes the significance of qualified EV technicians in achieving Phoenix’s EV goals.
“The city of Phoenix is excited about GateWay’s program and partnership with Legacy EV. Qualified EV technicians are needed to support the city’s goal of having 280,000 EVs on the roads of Phoenix by 2030,” said Apple.
Nurturing skilled professionals
GWCC and Legacy EV are at the forefront of cultivating a new generation of skilled professionals prepared for the challenges and opportunities in the EV industry. The transformative EV program empowers individuals to navigate EV systems intricately, from diagnostics to repairs, ensuring preparedness for the evolving automotive landscape.
Catalyst for change and economic growth
The economic impact of GateWay’s Electric Vehicle program aligns with the surging growth in the EV market. The program catalyzes change, symbolizing GWCC’s dedication to sustainability and offering opportunities for those aspiring to be at the forefront of the EV revolution.
“Over three years ago, we saw the growing demand for properly trained EV technicians was not being met,” said Mavrick Knoles, president and co-founder of Legacy EV. “The realization that the automotive repair market was not preparing for the EV transition led us to pioneer one of the nation’s first education programs for the next generation of auto technicians. We assembled a team of some of Arizona’s top educators who understand the importance of quality content that gives students the skills necessary to succeed in the changing auto industry. Within just a few short years, our training program has been implemented across the country, as well as Canada. Based in Tempe, Arizona, it was clear that leveraging our education program with GateWay Community College was a perfect partnership to make the Phoenix area a national hub for EV workforce development.”
Anticipated program launch: Late 2024/early 2025
As Phoenix advances its plans for transportation electrification, GateWay’s Electric Vehicle program stands as an exemplar, illustrating how education can shape a sustainable and prosperous future. The collaboration with Legacy EV underscores a commitment to excellence, ensuring that GateWay’s graduates become pioneers in the swiftly evolving landscape of EV technology. Eager anticipation surrounds the unfolding program for its positive impact on the community and the broader EV industry within the economic region.
For further information on GateWay Community College’s Electric Vehicle program launch, expected between late 2024 and early 2025, please visit gatewaycc.edu.
The Maricopa County Community College District includes 10 individually-accredited colleges – Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale and South Mountain – and the Maricopa Corporate College, serving approximately 140,000 students with bachelor’s degrees, two-year degrees, certificates, and university transfer programs.
Timeline now has to be changed:
During the May 2023 Yavapai Community College District Governing Board meeting, where the budget for the upcoming 2023-24 year was approved, one of the most unexpected developments was the decision to allocate $10 million over the next three years for the expansion of the existing 108,000 square foot, eight-acre Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC). The expansion was intended to increase CTEC’s size by an additional 20,000 square feet. According to the College budget catalog furnished to residents at the meeting, “within the expanded space, the college will construct new programs and move a few existing programs to meet Freeport’s current and future workforce needs. Specifically, this space will be used to train technicians with the newest automation and AI technologies.”
The suddenness of this decision caught many attendees by surprise, leaving them with limited information about the specific details and rationale behind the expansion. There were no clarifications given at the meeting regarding why the specific amount of $10 million was chosen, nor was there any disclosure regarding what portion of funding that might come from state grants, federal grants, or private industry.
Requests for additional information made to the Community College’s Public Relations Department about the proposed project and where the money was coming from were ignored.
However, as suddenly as the project appeared in the 2023-24 budget, it is now disappearing. At the February 20 Board meeting, Vice President Clint Ewell announced that the project was cancelled. In a slide explaining the proposed 2024-25 budget, the line item identifying the project is now blank (covered over with yellow).
The explanation given at the Board meeting by the College was that anticipated grant funding was not forthcoming.
Please see the proposed capital budget in draft form below as shown by Vice President Ewell to the Board on February 20, 2024.