At the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s Annual Meeting last Friday, the organization threw its support behind a 20-year Lake Michigan College millage renewal.
The proposal would renew the current millage for Lake Michigan College, which expires with the 2023 tax levy, for another 20 years. The current millage generates nearly 30 percent of LMC’s total operational budget.
“As the ‘Voice for Business’ in Southwest Michigan, we want to make it known that business in Southwest Michigan cannot prosper without Lake Michigan College,” said Chamber President Arthur Havlicek. “The training, retraining, and continued learning opportunities LMC provides lead to higher incomes, successful businesses, and a better quality of life for everyone in Southwest Michigan.”
The millage rate would freeze at .8804 mills, which Havlicek says is one of the lowest in the state.
Havlicek said his organization will be campaigning on LMC’s behalf, championing the important role they play in our region’s talent supply chain, and encouraging “Yes Votes” to turn out to the polls.
“LMC is proposing to freeze the current rate for 20 years, which if you think about the price of eggs increasing over 60% from just last year, is a pretty square deal,” Havlicek said. “LMC’s current millage is already among the lowest in the state, making it a great return on investment given their $426 million economic impact on our community.”
The millage rate would freeze at .8804 mills, which Havlicek says is one of the lowest in the state. The millage vote takes place in they May 2 election.
The Chamber also announced a partnership with LMC on the Leadership Accelerator program, which Leadership Accelerator works to develop leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors who will effectively grow, sustain, and lead our community into the future.
President Dr. Trevor A. Kubatzke said the college’s success depends on the strength of its partnerships.
“There has been no greater partner than the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and the local business community,” Kubatzke said. “From the Leadership Accelerator Academy, which creates industry leaders of tomorrow, to apprentice programs with more than 40 manufacturers, we are grateful to be able to enhance and expand training to attract and retain employers and good-paying jobs as the labor market continues to change.”
