Feasibility Study

Central Arizona College [Pinal County Community College District] known as  “The College of Choice” for Pinal County citizens, recently evaluated the current status in order to plan ahead and meet the challenges of the future. Pinal County is experiencing rapid growth and change. To continue success and meet the needs of the future, the College proactively conducted a feasibility study to help determine the scope and direction of college services. The resulting final report to the Governing Board will serve as a “blueprint for the future” for growth and development of college programs, services and facilities to accommodate current and future needs.

Community Meetings

Input from the community was both necessary and requested in preparing for the years ahead. Meetings were held with staff and community groups at four locations: Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eastern Pinal County and Apache Junction. Meetings were scheduled in the evenings at each location. Topics of discussion included county population projections, educational environmental scan, educational planning assumptions, educational plan recommendations, facilities development plans and financing options. The staff and community groups provided valuable input into the planning process and are commended for their dedication to the College’s process of involvement. The plans were revised and shared with the public at 60 meetings in 22 different communities in October and November 2004.

Demographics

The demographic study, developed by Applied Economics, provides a look at the long-term population projections, in five year increments, for Pinal County and the border areas in Maricopa and Pima Counties. The long-term population trend for Pinal County indicates one million residents will live within the county boundaries by 2025 and another one-half million residents living adjacent to the borders. This is a four-fold increase from the 2004 population.

Population centers are projected in areas around:

• Maricopa • Apache Junction • San Tan • Eloy • Florence • Oracle Junction • Casa Grande

Educational Plan

The College’s existing offerings were reviewed, current programs evaluated and trends in the job market were determined. The Voorhees Group prepared an educational plan, which was later revised by College Academic and Student Services Staff, resulting in an educational plan that CAC can take forward and use to guide the College’s future program offerings and position in the community.

In August 2004 the Governing Board adopted the newly developed Educational Plan. The Plan consists of more than 50 recommendations, which will position Pinal County’s only higher education institution as an active economic development factor through strong workforce advancement, a solid transfer program and adult life-long learning. Eighty percent of new jobs in the future will not require a baccalaureate degree, but will require occupational training, a certificate or a license.

Facilities Development Plan

A Capital Development Plan was created through an assessment of the existing facilities and the projected need for new facilities due to the growth in population and potential change to the educational delivery method. The Capital Development Plan establishes the facility needs of the College for the next 20 years and is intended to provide a roadmap for future development of facilities.

The county’s rapid growth will challenge the District to provide new facilities in the population centers and improve existing facilities to support its educational and operational requirements. A capital development master plan has been created to address the known needs. An initial draft has been developed that will continue to be refined on community input, prior to the Governing Board’s review.

Content on this page is provided by Finance.