Affordable college education critical need for all - Michael M. Brown, Newark Advocate

The local topic says that Central Ohio Technical College reports enrollment down dramatically from a year ago. This has led to a $3.75 million budget shortfall and major cuts in staffing and programs. That should not be happening at all, but some observers might apathetically say, “Who cares?” The bad news from COTC is the tip of an iceberg that will sink our economic ship sailing into rough waters of the future. The undeniable reality is that areas of the state, nation and the world with higher-educated workers will attract and retain better jobs. This is the economic engine of the economy. But outside of Columbus, where the college attainment rate is about 30 percent, the balance of our state has an attainment rate around 10 percent. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20121014/OPINION02/310140019?nclick_check=1