Stefani Hicswa, president of Northwest College, outlined to the Park County Commission Tuesday how a countywide capital facilities sales tax could provide an important element of funding for a new student center at the college.

The current student center is a 50-year-old building, and Hicswa said it’s “beyond its lifespan.”  Architects are presently working with NWC on design plans for a new student center, an estimated $20 million project.

Northwest would approach the State of Wyoming for funding up to half of the project cost.  The possibility of the 1 percent countywide specific purpose sales tax, in combination with private fundraising, is being explored for the other half of project financing. Approvals from legislators and voters would be necessary.

Hicswa told the commission the college is seeing the highest retention rates in the state, even higher than the University of Wyoming, and is seeing the highest completion rates in its history.

However, the college is struggling with low enrollment rates. This led to budget cuts in the coming fiscal year, which included the elimination of 21 positions and eight reductions in force.

Hicswa said surveys have found students place greater importance on the quality of a college’s facilities than they do the institution’s reputation.

She also cited the impact the college has on the economy of Park County. With its $30 million budget, Hicswa explained, this translates to $88 million in economic activity in the county.

Dusty Spomer, NWC Board of Trustees president, pointed out that, while the college has a mission of supporting transfer degrees for students planning to go onto universities, it also provides trades and nursing programs. This creates a trained workforce for employers in the county.

“Beyond direct economic impact of the college, we’re growing that workforce and keeping people in Park County,” he said.

Spomer said there was a trend toward declining enrollment numbers at institutions across the country, but NWC is committed to reversing those numbers at home.

“It’s easy to say it’s happening to everybody, but we’re not going to accept that,” he told the commission.

Hicswa said she is “confident” the state would support half the cost of the project, and they would know for sure by the end of February.

Voter approval

The college would secure funding from the state before the specific purpose tax proposal would be put to county voters, Hicswa said.

Since voters in Wyoming are often reluctant to support tax increases, Commissioner Joe Tilden asked if there was a “Plan B” for the funding should voters turn the proposal down.

Hicswa said the other options are bonds and mill levies, and these can be pursued if it comes to that. There is also the possibility of securing a loan for the project, which would then be paid by student fees. This was not the most desirable option, however, as it really wouldn’t help with enrollment.

“Keeping the cost of attending college as affordable as possible is important,” Hicswa said.

She said private fundraising to support the project would be pursued.  Originally that had been viewed as the sole means to bring the new student center to fruition. But that route wasn’t feasible.

“We can’t count on a full $10 milion to come from fundraising. That would be insurmountable according to our consultant,” she explained.

Voicing support

Both mayors of Cody and Powell spoke favorably of the plan.

Cody Mayor Matt Hall said he’s supportive of special purpose taxes to fund improvement projects that benefit the entire county, and he sees the new student center as being such a project.

Powell Mayor John Wetzel said he’s read articles about small towns seeing economic success and the thing they have in common is a college.

“It’s an anchor to Powell,” he said.

While the county commission took no action on the proposal, they voiced support for the plan.

Commission Chairman Jake Fulkerson, who called the college a “critical partner” with the county, said he toured the current student center. He views replacing the 50-year-old facility as a health and safety issue.

“Once you get into the bones of the building, it’s in great disrepair,” he said.

Hicswa displayed conceptual plans for the new facility, which is being dubbed “Trapper Center.” The concept is a two-story facility with a glass exterior. The interior is an open floor plan, with a fireplace. The building will have no basement, which has led to a number of flooding issues at the current facility.

The dining hall has a “food court” concept. There will be some student office space, as well as a meeting room.

While the photos show an impressive facility, Hicwa said it was a scaled down version of their original vision that came about years ago. The current vision contains just the basic elements of a typical student center, and it has room to expand in the future.

“This really is an essential facility without a lot of extras in it,” Hicswa said.

They had also looked at renovating the current student center, but with the age of the building, it’s cheaper to tear it down and build a new one, she said.

If legislators and voters approve, Hicswa said they would begin construction right after graduation in 2021, with completion in 2022.