MCC chief to pursue a Union County Learning Center

The Mesalands Community College board of directors on Thursday authorized its president, Gregg Busch, to collaborate with Clayton-area officials to establish a college-level Union County Learning Center there.

The agenda during the Mesalands special meeting stated the board would authorize Busch to work with Clayton “to provide services, programs and workforce training opportunities” with that city.

The board during its special meeting also voted to accept resolutions from the Union County Commission, Clayton Municipal Schools board of education and the Town of Clayton urging the establishment of a Union County Learning Center in Clayton in an alliance through the school district and college.

The resolutions generally stated Union County is without a higher-learning institution, with the nearest a two-hour drive away. They stated a Mesalands affiliate program could help train nurses for Union County General Hospital and other area health clinics.

The resolutions also stated Union County anticipates the development of more wind energy in the region. They stated Mesalands’ other programs, including animal science, agribusiness, law enforcement training, building trades, commercial driver’s license training, automotive technology and farrier sciences, could prove appealing or beneficial to Union County residents.

Right after the Mesalands board unanimously approved the authorization of Busch to collaborate with Clayton and Union County officials, board Chairman Jim Streetman said: “I want to state that’s a resounding ‘yes.’ … I think it’s one of the best opportunities for us and Clayton, too.”

The board also approved a fiscal-year 2023 budget that will be submitted to the state’s Higher Education Department. Natalie Gillard, vice president of academic affairs, said the college’s budget anticipates $7.5 million in unrestricted revenue. She added it would be a “flat” budget and similar to the previous year’s.