Senator Stabenow Applauds $429,000 for Tribal Colleges in Mid-Michigan and the Upper Peninsula

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow applauded $429,000 for tribal colleges in Isabella, Chippewa, and Baraga Counties from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program. This grant comes from the Tribal College Initiative Grant program which provides funding to tribal colleges to make capital improvements to their educational facilities and to purchase equipment.

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College will receive $143,000 to make campus improvements. Bay Mills Community College will receive $143,000 to purchase early learning and business equipment. Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College will receive $143,000 to upgrade classroom technology and purchase new library equipment, fixtures and furniture.

“This investment will help our students receive a quality education and learn the skills they need to earn a good-paying job after graduation,” said Senator Stabenow. “This announcement underscores USDA’s important partnership with tribal communities to support education and economic development.”

“We greatly appreciate Senator Stabenow and the availability of this funding, as it provides much needed support for college infrastructure and services," said Michael C. Parish, President of the Bay Mills Community College. "This year’s funding will be used to support student services through the provision of laptops and calculators which can be loaned to those students needing the technology.  In addition, the Waishkey Bay farm will see significant upgrades, including those made to the barn, classroom building and outbuildings.  Our main classroom facility will receive new tables and chairs, as well as some office furniture and laptop computers for student use.  Our IT department will utilize funds to upgrade computer networking and firewalls." 

Senator Stabenow is Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, which oversees the USDA and its Rural Development program. More information about the Tribal College Initiative Grant Program can be found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/tribal-college-initiative-grants.

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