Columbus State supporters begin campaign for Issue 21

– News Release | Thursday, Feb 6, 2020

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Bond issue will modernize more than 200 classrooms, labs, and technology

at the College’s 50-year old Franklin County campus

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Citizens for Columbus State today started a campaign in support of Issue 21, a bond issue to appear on Franklin County’s primary election ballot on March 17. A television spot promoting the issue began running today. Funds generated by the bond issue will support modernization of facilities at the College’s 50-year old Columbus campus to meet the growing needs of Franklin County.

“Columbus State Community College provides affordable access to higher education for more than 45,000 students each year, and we’re open to all who need us,” said college President David T. Harrison. “The resources provided by Issue 21 will significantly enhance our capacity to serve as Central Ohio’s workforce engine, ensuring that employers have a robust pool of qualified talent and students have pathways to prosperous careers that will build a strong future for our region.”

Voter approval of Issue 21 will help the College modernize and improve 200 old classrooms and labs, add new technology, create state-of-the-art education and training, and update Franklin County facilities, making them more secure, well maintained, and fully accessible. It will:

• Repair Columbus State's deteriorating infrastructure, including roofs, plumbing, windows, ventilation, elevators, security systems, parking and sidewalks to keep them safe for students and the community.

• Improve educational and training facilities for jobs in in-demand fields such as health care, information technology, science, engineering, business, and advanced manufacturing.

• Construct new modern labs, update campus technology, and modernize existing classrooms so that students can train in environments that mirror real workplaces.

• Add a new academic building with classrooms, labs, and technology to provide up-to-date learning centers for workforce development and to prepare students for good jobs.

Issue 21 is receiving widespread support across the community—from business, labor, civic and faith leaders, advocates of economic opportunity and success, educators and numerous current and former elected officials. Early supporters include the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Urban League, YWCA Columbus, IMPACT Community Action, St. Vincent Family Center, Baptist Ministerial Alliance of Columbus & Vicinity, Baptist Pastor Conference of Columbus & Vicinity, and the Columbus Partnership. A list of supporters can be found at www.CitizensForColumbusState.com/endorsements.

Issue 21 was placed on the ballot by the Columbus State Board of Trustees. It is a one-time, 24-year bond issue of less than one mill (0.65 mill) and will generate an estimated $300 million for capital improvements of the College’s facilities located in Franklin County. The cost to individual homeowners would be less than $2 per month per $100,000 of property valuation. By law, the funds can only be used for capital projects in Franklin County, and cannot be used for salaries or day-to-day operating costs of the college.

Columbus State is Central Ohio’s primary engine for preparing students of all ages for in-demand jobs, and for meeting the growing and evolving needs of regional employers. More than 75% of Columbus State graduates remain in the region, making significant contributions to local communities.

Citizens for Columbus State is a nonpartisan ballot issue committee funded by private donations.