NCCC receives $350,000 for nursing program

WINSTED — Last week’s announcement that $350,000 in federal funds will come to Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC) for a new nursing program had fans of the college saluting the continued work and progress at the school.

Congressman John Larson (D-1) announced Friday, Dec. 11, that the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $350,000 for the new program, which has been strongly supported by state Rep. John Rigby (R-63) and college President Barbara Douglass.

“It’s very exciting news from our nation’s capital,� Rigby said Monday. “This is a testament to Barbara Douglass and her tenacity to make this program a reality.�

Rigby has lobbied strongly for a nursing program in Winsted, asking fellow legislators to fast-track legislation to fund the program. In June, Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed legislation, authored by Rigby, requiring the state Board of Trustees of Community-Technical Colleges to pursue federal funds to start a nursing program at NCCC.

Through a private capital campaign, Douglass had already raised nearly $1 million for a nursing program before Rigby signed on as a member of the House Higher Education Committee. His bill urging funding for NCCC was quickly approved by the committee and by the state House and Senate.

“In terms of using stimulus dollars, I can’t think of a better use for this money,� Rigby said. “Graduates will come out in as little as 18 months. These people will come and work in the area. It will address a critical nursing shortage and bring people into Winsted from surrounding towns. These people are going to fill an important void in our health-care system.�

Rigby has been working closely with Douglass at NCCC and following the progress of the program.

“The money is going to get to where it needs to be very quickly, and Barbara thinks she can have the program up and running in January of 2011,� he said.

Rigby also noted that Larson and his staff have been working with the college for the past two years.

“This program will single-handily reshape the economic and health-care landscape in Winsted and in Northwestern Connecticut,� Larson said in a written statement. “I am proud to support this project and the efforts of President Douglass, the staff of NCCC, members of the Connecticut General Assembly and the residents of the Northwest Corner for making this nursing program a reality.�

Legislators have noted that, in the next 10 years, Litchfield County’s nursing vacancy rate could reach double the statewide average.

Funding for the NCCC nursing program was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which makes targeted investments in an effort to rebuild the national economy. The legislation also increased funding for infrastructure, health and education.

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