Monroe County, MI – Monroe County Community College recently broke ground on a $22-25 million transformation of the college’s Welch Health Education Building into what is tentatively being called the Welch Center for Health and Public Safety.
The event took place in front of the Welch Health Education Building, named for MCCC’s second president, Gerald Welch, where Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II was on hand to assist in the ceremonial turning of the soil.
In July, $10.9 million was approved in the State of Michigan’s budget and signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer for the state’s portion of the cost of the renovation and expansion of the facility.
For projects approved through the state’s capital outlay process, colleges and universities must dedicate a cost-share to receive the funding. Community colleges must provide at least 50 percent of the approved project costs, while universities have a lower threshold of 30 percent up to a maximum of $30 million.
Community colleges are required to contribute a higher match rate due to their ability to levy local tax millages.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in Summer 2025 with projected completion in Summer 2027, said Jack Burns, director of campus planning and facilities.
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*media courtesy of Monroe County Community College*