Obama should visit the Valley to view his 2-year college plan

Shortly after President Barack Obama unveiled his community-college initiative, we urged Republicans in Congress to contact Republican Gov. John R. Kasich to find out why they should set aside their partisan inclinations and give the plan the attention it deserves.

As we noted in the editorial last week, there are 140,000-plus jobs in Ohio waiting to be filled, many of which do not require a four-year degree. Indeed, companies in Ohio have been working with community colleges to develop programs that would provide them with a qualified labor force.

We specifically discussed Eastern Gateway Community College, which has been experiencing phenomenal growth in the Mahoning Valley, and its partnerships with local businesses. But we failed to point out a crucial aspect of Eastern Gateway’s program: the Jefferson County-based community college enables students who meet certain requirements, including grade-point average, to attend and receive an associate degree tuition-free.

That’s what Obama proposed earlier this month, which is why EGCC President Laura Meeks and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, want the president to come to the area and see his tuition-free plan in action.

Obama’s America’s College Promise is aimed at making two years of community college free for responsible students, letting students earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree and earn skills needed in the workplace.

“It’s something that we can accomplish, and it’s something that will train our workforce so that we can compete with anybody in the world,” the Democratic president said in a video released by the White House.

However, the initiative needs congressional approval because it carries a price tag of $60 billion over 10 years. Even without that estimated cost, support from the GOP-controlled Congress will not come easily. It’s obvious the president needs more than just the power of his office to sway skeptical Republicans, which is why a visit to the Mahoning Valley is highly recommended.

Here’s what Congressman Ryan has to say about EGCC’s tuition-free program:

“Eastern Gateway Community College is proof that this type of national program can and does work. For over 20 years, they have enabled high school students from our community to attend two years of college for free — giving access to higher education to thousands of our young people. ”

Show-and-tell

Obama needs to make the case for his initiative, and a show-and-tell in the Valley would go a long way in achieving that goal. Whenever the president travels, he has members of the White House press corps with him, and they file stories and pictures that take on a national bent. The visit to EGCC would make national news.

But that isn’t the only reason for Obama to come to the Valley: He would get an up-close look at another of his initiatives that has attracted national and international attention.

America Makes is the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which is aimed at helping the United States grow capabilities and strength in 3D printing (additive manufacturing.) The goal is to foster collaboration in design, materials, technology, workforce and more.

The president is well aware of the worldwide attention the downtown Youngstown institute is receiving; he has mentioned it in his speeches on at least three occasions.

Indeed, Obama last year announced that the federal government would be creating several more additive manufacturing institutes — with the one in Youngstown as the template.

The president has earned the right to take a bow — in Youngstown — for pushing to revive American manufacturing, which has deep roots in the Mahoning Valley.