College boards ask for support for new Center for Trades Education

Dear Friends,

This May, Lincoln County voters will have the opportunity to bring a new trades education center to Oregon Coast Community College in Newport, and expand access to career education and training for living wage jobs all across our county. Your Yes vote on the College’s upcoming $32 million bond measure will allow OCCC to add exciting high-demand trades programs, and will also bring an additional $8,140,000 in state matching funds for this project that are only available if the bonds are approved. We believe this project is important to Lincoln County’s future, and we believe the time is right to move forward.

The new building will be a flexible industrial space, designed to offer cutting-edge instruction in a variety of trades programs over the years to come. One of the first expansions will be a marine welding certificate program to augment the welding courses the college launched in 2020 in partnership with the Lincoln County School District and the Port of Toledo.

As Board members and volunteers working to support the college and its students, we can tell you that a regular refrain we hear from Lincoln County residents is, “when is the college going to offer more training in the trades?”

We are proud OCCC has made great strides in growing robust career and technical education programs in allied health – including nursing assistant, medical assistant, and nursing programs – as well as aquarium science, early childhood education, teaching and more. However, we know there are additional rewarding local jobs and careers going unfilled. Because the college currently lacks the specialized facilities to offer more trades-specific training, people must leave the County to gain skills in advanced welding, fabrication, mechatronics, and more.

The bond measure would make existing buildings safer spaces for students, employees and the community. The investment would also expand, adapt, and modernize existing career technical training facilities supporting other career areas such as education, allied health, and applied aquatic sciences. The college would invest bond proceeds in updating classrooms, technology, facilities, and equipment to provide students with modern higher education and job training spaces, including flexible hybrid learning options to meet student needs into the future. Working with the communities we serve, the college also plans to invest in improvements designed to support community emergency response infrastructure.

We are thankful to Lincoln County voters, who approved the bond measure almost 20 years ago that built the amazing facilities in Lincoln City, Newport, and Waldport that serve our students today. We believe OCCC continues to earn and deserve the trust of taxpayers through providing excellent, relevant and affordable education, by recently earning independent accreditation, and by being a partner to other education providers and a responsible steward of the public resources entrusted to us.

This bond provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to better serve our community, to protect and modernize these existing buildings while creating brand-new career training opportunities for Lincoln County residents today and for years to come.

The 2004 bond that built the college’s existing buildings raised $23.5 million with a 34 cents per thousand levy paid by property owners in Lincoln County. Over time, that levy has steadily declined, and in 2023, is projected to be 21 cents per thousand. This new proposal would replace the existing college levy on property owners with only a five-cent rate increase (from 21 cents to 26 cents per $1,000 of assessed value) and raise $32 million. Voter approval of the measure would also secure and bring to our county an additional $8 million in matching funds available from the state legislature. The 26 cents per thousand levy would begin with the 2023-24 tax year, replacing the existing levy on July 1, 2023 – two years before its scheduled June 30, 2025 sunset date.

The need for cutting-edge career and technical education resources is clear. This new facility will open doors for countless local students while meeting critical workforce needs for local employers, industry, and consumers. Please join us in saying Yes for OCCC this May.

A message from members of The OCCC Board of Education and The OCCC Foundation Board of Directors

About the Proposal

Below are photographs of facilities similar to the proposed trades education building, along with an architect’s rendering of the building (facing page). The actual building will be designed in consultation with employers, stakeholders, and community members, and may look different. That image on the facing page was created in 2017, when the college began planning expanded trades-education to serve Lincoln County.

If the proposed bond measure passes, the college would build the new building on land the college already owns, adjacent to its main campus building in Newport. The new building is estimated to cost approximately $25 million. Additional funds raised by the bond levy would be used for safety, technology, facilities, and classroom updates in each of the College’s existing facilities – including Waldport, Lincoln City, the Port of Toledo Welding Laboratory, and the College’s Aquarium Science Program facility.

Board of Directors

Aquarium Science

basic skills, including GED & ESOL

Biology

Business

Chemistry

College Skills

Communication

Computer Science

Early Childhood Education

Education

Emergency Medical Services

Environmental Science

Geology

General Science

Health

History

linguistics & literature

Mathematics

mathematics, continued

Medical Assistant

Medical Terminology

Music

Nursing

OCCC Statement of Non-Discrimination

Oregon Coast Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion in its programs and activities. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Newport, OR 97366 541-867-8511 andres.oroz@oregoncoast.edu joy.gutknecht@oregoncoast.edu

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Oregon Coast Community College provides reasonable accommodation. If you desire reasonable accommodation, please contact the Vice President of Student Affairs and Section 504 Compliance Officer (400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366) at 541-867-8511 or at access@oregoncoast.edu

Physical Education

Psychology

Reading

Sociology

Spanish

women’s studies

Writing

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NURSING , AQUARIUM SCIENCE , BUSINESS , TRANSFER DEGREES , AND MORE!

The Foundation awarded $90,000 in scholarship funds for the 2022-2023 school year to 40 recipients from funds supported by local donors and the Foundation’s investment fund. Awards ranged from $500 to $4,000. Apply today!

APPLY BEFORE APRIL 1!

Starting a Business in Lincoln County

The SBDC’s “start-here” class for would-be business owners (aka “wantrepreneurs”), Doing Business in Lincoln County is a great workshop for anyone considering launching a business in this beautiful, seasonal, challenging, and rewarding market. You’ll learn some of the fundamentals of Oregon Coast business ownership, as well as something about what it takes to be a successful owner of a small business.

INSTRUCTOR: WENDY LUDWIG

4-5:30PM | TUESDAY, APRIL 4 | $20

Disaster Planning and Resiliency

Some disasters are unavoidable. Some are worse than others, but regardless of your situation the proper planning, training and preparedness will be the most effective way to avoid or recover from any type of disaster. For ever $1 spent in planning yields $6 in return on average. We will learn how to plan and build economic resilience so your business can survive and thrive in the worst of times.

INSTRUCTOR: GREGORY PRICE

4-6PM | THURSDAY, MAY 18 | $35

It’s homecoming.

The Oregon Coast Community College Small Business Development Center has welcomed a new Director.

Gregory Price - a native of Depoe Bay and a Taft High School Graduate - has returned to Lincoln County to take the helm at the SBDC. He retains his title as Director of the Columbia Gorge SBDC.

“Gregory is a rare talent, with a passion to support rural entrepreneurs,” said Dave Price (no relation), former SBDC director and OCCC’s Vice President for Engagement.

“His professional experience is remarkable, and is just what you would ask for if you were trying to craft the perfect SBDC Director. The fact that he’s a Lincoln County native is icing on the cake.”

Contact Price at greg.price@oregoncoast.edu.

Google Business Profile New, expanded course

Aaron Nobles returns with one of the highest-rated workshops offered at the OCCC Small Business Development Center in recent years. This time, the course is doubled in length and features two Monday morning sessions. During the course, you’ll learn how to use your free Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) to create listings that will stand out when customers search online, and get more reviews. Among the topics to be covered are:

• How to claim your Google Business Listing

• How to rank higher in local SEO search

• How to show up on Google Maps

• Create a free Google website

• How to stand out and increase your reach

• How to handle good and bad reviews

• How to get more reviews

INSTRUCTOR: AARON NOBLES THIS IS A TWO-PART WORKSHOP.

9AM-12PM | MONDAY, APRIL 17 & MONDAY, APRIL 24 | $50 LINCOLN CITY

Excel Level 1: The Basics of Excel

Gain a solid understanding of the Basics of Microsoft Excel. Learn how to navigate the Ribbon; enter and edit data; the basics of formulas and the most common functions used in the Office. Dramatically increase your efficiency and effectiveness with dozens of shortcuts, tips and tricks. Live, via Zoom.

INSTRUCTOR: JOSIAH DEAN

2-4PM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 | $25

Excel Level 2: Tips & Tricks for Intermediate Excel

Go even farther with Microsoft Excel. Get insights into new and advanced functions, show off your data with charts and graphs, and learn how to integrate Excel with other programs. Live, via Zoom.

INSTRUCTOR: JOSIAH DEAN

2-4PM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 | $25

Quickbooks Online Level 1

For QuickBooks beginners. Learn how to use the most popular business accounting software program used by small businesses. If you have never used QuickBooks or are just starting to use the program, this training is for you! Class includes setting up company files, creating a chart of accounts, adding customers, jobs, and vendors. Also covers paying for expenses, invoicing, and receiving payments. Live, via Zoom.

INSTRUCTOR: JOSIAH DEAN

2-4PM | WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 | $75

Quickbooks Online Level 2

For intermediate QuickBooks Online Users. If you have completed QB Level 1 or are slightly more than a “new user” of QuickBooks, this training will help expand your existing base of knowledge. Class includes lessons in fundamentals of accounting, reconciling bank accounts, inventory, and running reports. Live, via Zoom.

INSTRUCTOR: JOSIAH DEAN

2-4PM | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 | $75

NEW: Spanish-language in-person workshops

How to start a business in Oregon: Cómo Empezar un Negocio en Oregon

Tienes una idea de negocio y no sabes por dónde comenzar?

Hablaremos de cómo iniciar un negocio, requisitos, registraciones y puntos de contacto.

PROFESOR: CARLOS MENDOZA

4-6PM | JUEVES, 6 DE ABRIL GRATIS | LINCOLN CITY

Recordkeeping responsibilities for business owners

Mantenimiento de Registros y Responsabilidades Fiscales

Ser dueño de tu propio negocio requiere que tengas una base sólida en procesos comerciales, mantenimiento de registros y conocimiento de varias responsabilidades fiscales. Este taller te ayudar a informarte de los pasos que puedes tomar para evitar errores costosos para tu negocio

PROFESOR: CARLOS MENDOZA

8-10AM | VIERNES, 7 DE ABRIL GRATIS | LINCOLN CITY

Artificial Intelligence for Small Businesses

Financial Literacy for your business

La Educación Financiera Y tu Negocio

En este taller veremos temas sobre la educación financiera y la importancia de crear presupuestos para mejorar la salud financiera de tu negocio.

PROFESOR: CARLOS MENDOZA

4-6PM | VIERNES, 7 DE ABRIL GRATIS | LINCOLN CITY

“Using Artificial Intelligence for your Small Business” is a class designed to teach small business owners and entrepreneurs how to utilize AI technology to improve various aspects of their business. The class will cover several topics, including:

•Learning the basics of interacting with AI systems and how to use them to automate tasks.

• How to use AI-powered tools to generate website copy, blog posts, and social media content.

• How AI can help with Customer Engagement.

• The benefits of using AI for image generation, and how to use AI tools to create custom images for your business.

• How to use AI to generate website code, making it easier and faster to create new pages and features on your website. Live, via Zoom.

INSTRUCTOR: STEVEN WINTERS

4-6PM | TUESDAY, APRIL 11 | $25