I was recently fortunate enough to take advantage of one of Natchez’s often-overlooked treasures. Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s local campus is located just minutes from downtown Natchez and offers a wide variety of educational opportunities not only for recent high school graduates, but also for anyone interested in gaining new knowledge or skills for personal advancement.

Having grown up in a large college town, I know it is easy to take for granted what a special gift it is to have a center of higher education nearby. The benefits to our community can be far reaching and limited only by our failure to grasp its full value and failure to give enough support. Almost all basic college courses in English, math, science and history are offered and credits may be earned toward an associate in arts to be applied towards a bachelor’s degree from one of our area’s four-year colleges or universities.

In addition, Co-Lin Natchez has a very busy Career and Technical Education Center offering training in a wide variety of potential career paths. These include several health related fields such as practical nursing, health care assistant, respiratory care practitioner, medical transcriptionist and medical records coding. These medically related fields are of particular importance to not only us in Natchez but to the nation as a whole.

According to a CNN report, the Labor Department projected that 600,000 nursing jobs will open up during the 10-year period ending in 2012. This is a 27-percent increase since 2002. There will be a 50-percent increase in physician assistant jobs and a 35-percent increase in occupational and physical therapy jobs. Much of this is due to we 77 million “Baby Boomers” that are entering the phase of our lives where health care demands will be increasing. As Natchez’s reputation as a hospitable environment for retirees grows, our immediate needs in these areas will be acutely evident.

Currently, Co-Lin Natchez’s health-fields-related teaching facilities are bursting at the seams. Classrooms not ideally outfitted to teach some of these classes are being “borrowed” from departments to teach the health care assistant program. A large closet has been commandeered by the respiratory care program for a lab. All of the health-related classes have been forced to spread out over the entire campus complicating the day-to-day logistics and administration of these programs.

If a facility could be built to accommodate state-of-the-art education in these fields, not only could Co-Lin help us meet our needs in these areas, but it would free up space in existing structures to create a much in demand building trades program provide qualified skilled workers for regional construction companies. Fine arts and music are other areas where needs are not met due to lack of facilities.

I am told Co-Lin Natchez last opened a new academic building 11 years ago. It seems to me that if we are to seize the moment and keep pace with our region’s anticipated needs, Co-Lin needs to get busy with a facility expansion project.

Unfortunately, this will likely require a request for an increase in the allotment that Adams County provides to Co-Lin. Soon the Co-Lin Board of Trustees will request that the Adams County Board of Supervisors consider such a request.

This may mean that we will get a chance to consider a millage increase in a future election. No one likes to hear talk of a possible tax increase, but if it does come up, remember the benefits that you as an area resident directly receive. You, your child, grandchild or other close relative or friend could more easily take advantage of a learning experience or job opportunity right here at home. Then, if your own health care needs arise, the qualified providers will more likely be available so your health care needs can also be met here at home.

Dr. Kenneth Stubbs is an internal medicine specialist in Natchez.