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Investment in higher education a winning strategy

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Arizona's economy has long been dependent on the construction industry. In the last year alone 21,000 construction jobs have been lost in this state and Flagstaff has seen entire companies pack up and leave. With no major construction projects currently planned for the Flagstaff area, and commercial and residential markets nearing all-time lows, the short-term economic future is not hopeful.

The economic stimulus plan proposed by the state's three public universities in cooperation with the construction industry seeks to boost the Arizona economy by investing $1.4 billion in much-needed building maintenance and renovations as well as in critical new facilities such as a College of Health Professions at NAU. Investing in university infrastructure will create 14,000 new construction jobs statewide, plus an additional 16,000 jobs created as a result of construction. This is what we need most in the City of Flagstaff as well as statewide in the face of the current economic slow-down. Concerns have been raised over the price tag of these proposals given the current state budget. It should be remembered that the cost will be funded over a 25- to 30-year period in a partnership between the state and universities.

The question that should be asked is what is the cost of not doing this? If we continue to do what we've been doing, the state will experience a longer economic downturn and further cuts to essential services will be experienced. Long overdue campus upgrades and critical new buildings to educate students for future employment in health care and high tech jobs create a vibrant campus that assists in attracting and retaining quality faculty as well as bringing in new grant dollars.

A thriving university system is important to enhancing our intellectual capital and paving the way for new industries to thrive in the region. TGEN North did not happen by accident -- this exciting new bioscience industry is just one example of the benefits that come from university partnerships in a system that can offer quality facilities, top-notch faculty and an innovative spirit.

The construction stimulus plan is not only a way to boost the construction industry today, but is also an investment in Flagstaff's future. These proposals place an emphasis on education as a way of building new industries and ensuring Arizona continues to move toward an innovation-based, globally competitive economy. We must invest in our universities now for this vision to become a reality.

Bruce Nordstrom is a Flagstaff resident and businessman.

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