In an effort to strengthen its case for the capital project funding with key legislators, Anoka-Ramsey Community College will host tours of its Cambridge Campus for Senator and Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, Keith Langseth and House Representative, Jim Knoblach, Sept. 24-25. Prominent community leaders and college supporters will attend the events that are designed to reveal the need and impact of the funding requested by college.

"Our capital project has been approved by the Office of the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees (for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System)," says Anoka-Ramsey Community College President, Patrick Johns. "Now it's on to the next step in the process - approval by the Legislature."

The Langseth Senate Committee and Representative Knoblach site visits will provide the legislators with a first-hand look at the project to assess the need and bring a recommendation back to their colleagues.

The capital funding request is centered on the demolition of two 20-year-old, temporary buildings located on the Cambridge Campus, just west of County Road 70. These buildings have exhausted their lifespan and now pose health and safety concerns. The costs to maintain, repair and provide a technology infrastructure are far beyond the requested funds.

In addition to the demolition, Anoka-Ramsey Community College plans to add on to its Campus Center, east of County Road 70. This additional building project will replace the square footage lost in the demolition of the temporary buildings.

IMPACT ON COMMUNITY AND ECONOMICS
The capital project will allow Anoka-Ramsey Community College to maintain its current capacity levels for the growing six-county area that includes Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, and Sherburne.

With the approval of this funding Anoka-Ramsey Community College will also be better equipped to respond to the need for nurses, increase training opportunities, and increase job placement through a possible Workforce Center on campus.

IMPACT ON STUDENTS
Students attending the Cambridge Campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College will feel an immediate impact by the approval of this funding through improved labs and equipment, a strengthened Academic Support Center, additional workforce-related resources, and consolidation of building all on the same side of the county road.

For more information on the Anoka-Ramsey Community College capital project, contact Mike Seymour at 763-422-3430.