MONROE, Mich., Oct. 4, 2024 — State Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township) celebrated a $10 million state investment to expand Monroe County Community College’s (MCCC) Welch Center for Health and Public Safety. As part of the most recent state budget, Miller worked tirelessly advocating to help secure a $10 million grant that will allow MCCC to expand classroom and lab space for nursing and public safety programs.
“Expanding nursing and public safety programs in a time when Michiganders need more of both will improve our economy as well as make us healthier and safer,” Miller said. “Monroe County Community College is an excellent institution, and I want to commend the college for being incredibly proactive in both seeking and preparing for the investments. Together, we are building stronger hometowns, safer communities and showing our commitment to caring for the sick, elderly and vulnerable.”
The expanded Welch Center for Health and Public Safety will support programs in nursing, respiratory therapy and emergency medical training, while paving the way for MCCC to become a certified police academy. Construction is slated to begin in summer 2025 and is expected to finish by summer 2027. By expanding nursing and public safety programs, MCCC will help ensure Michigan has the health care workers and public safety professionals it needs to thrive.
“Over the past year, I’ve sent letters to my colleagues on the Appropriations committee, met with the college president on multiple occasions and made it clear that this was my top budget priority for our community,” Miller concluded. “I’m thrilled to say, we delivered. I’m incredibly proud to see so much effort come to fruition.”
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