Building for a Stronger Louisiana Workforce

Facts

Act 391 (Senate Bill 337)

• During the 2007 Session, the Louisiana Legislature authorized financing of $173.7 million for 23 capital outlay projects at 14 Louisiana Community and Technical College locations through Act 391 (SB 337).
• During the 2007 Session, the Louisiana Legislature authorized financing of $173 million for 23 capital outlay projects at 14 Louisiana Community and Technical College locations through Act 391 (SB 337).
• Senate Bill 337 was co-authored by 23 Senators and 83 Representatives. The primary author of the bill was Senator Robert Adley. On July 10, 2007, the Governor signed Senate Bill 337 passed by the 2007 Legislature, subsequently becoming Act 391.
• The legislation provides for the financing of capital improvements and enhancements to certain facilities and properties within the Community and Technical College System.
• Under the provisions of the bill, colleges within the LCTCS will receive $151 million to complete high priority capital projects that were determined to be extraordinarily vital to the state’s response to the need for a competent and skilled workforce, including $25 million to augment hurricane recovery.
• Under the provisions of the bill, LCTCS will be allowed to arrange financing of $151 million for its colleges to complete high priority capital projects. The projects were determined to be extraordinarily vital to the state’s response to the need for a competent and skilled workforce, including $25 million to augment hurricane recovery.
• The bill also allows up to a 15 percent additional contingency add-on, bringing the total amount authorized by the bill to $173.7 million.

Facilities Corporation

• Act 391 provides that the Board may grant leases of property under its supervision to a nonprofit corporation for the purpose of financing the projects. The 501 (c) (3) Corporation (Facilities Corporation) will finance the purchase of land and facilities or construct facilities using the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds to be officially sold by an issuer selected by the Corporation.
  
  
• Members of the Facilities Corporation are:
• Stevie Smith, President -- LCTCS Board Member
• Jimmy Dimos, Secretary -- Retired State Fourth Judicial District Court Judge, Monroe Area
• Lambert Boissiere, Jr., Treasurer -- Constable, First City Court, New Orleans and Former Louisiana State Senator, District 3

Building for a Stronger Workforce through Stronger Facilities

• These smart, multi-use facilities will enable LCTCS colleges to respond to changing workforce training needs and will create the flexibility needed to respond to ever changing business and industry demands.
• Labor shortages indicated by disparity between worker supply and demand can be detrimental to economic growth and development. If a skilled workforce is not available, new businesses cannot open, and existing businesses or industries cannot expand.
• Community and technical colleges are the solution to workforce problems that plague our state. Developing a sustainable workforce is a top priority for our State, and it is one of the main objectives of community and technical colleges.
• As construction begins for these new facilities around the state, we are not only building new facilities, we are also "Building for a Stronger Louisiana Workforce" – a workforce that will be available to meet the demands of Louisiana’s driving economy and labor force.
• The only way to build the strong workforce that our State needs is through the training that our colleges provide. Louisiana’s community and technical colleges encourage new business, assist existing business, and create long-term economic growth. We produce the skilled workers that Louisiana companies need and rely on to succeed and to continue to grow.
  
• Community and technical colleges are a steady supplier to state business and industry and produce well trained employees who are truly prepared not only for the current workforce, but ready to learn and keep pace with the technology of the future.