A group of politicians, educational leaders, and community members came together this week to celebrate an infusion of approximately $20 million in funds for construction of a new building at the Mendocino College Willits campus.
More than 70 people packed Mendocino College’s North County Center on Tuesday morning to listen to an announcement about a nearly 19,000-square-foot building that will be constructed on the Willits campus.
U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Ukiah, state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Ukiah, Mendocino College President Tim Karas, Mendocino County Supervisor John Haschak and other leaders involved in the project spoke about how the infusion of funds will support increasing enrollment at the college and create opportunities for economic development.
McGuire spoke about how the new building will include dedicated spaces for programs such as fire technology, health sciences and construction.
The estimated opening of the new building will be in spring 2029.
“It will be a hub for careers here in Mendocino County,” McGuire said. “With career training programs such as fire science, a new fire academy, construction and energy technology, lab service training, training the next generation of health care technicians and skilled lab workers.”
The $20 million investment was secured by McGuire and Huffman through a state grant, a federal grant and Proposition 2, a state measure passed in 2024 to increase funding for public schools and community colleges. According to Karas from Mendocino College, 20% of the funds will be matched locally.
McGuire also discussed why he and Huffman saw it as necessary to secure funding for Mendocino College and develop a career development building in Willits.
“Congressman Huffman and I have a firm belief that we need to grow careers close to home,” McGuire said.
“You don’t have to go to a four-year school and join a fraternity and pay crazy tuition. If you just want to get a job, earn a living, and support your family, this is for you.”
Rep. Jared Huffman
He also spoke about the destruction that wildfires have caused in the community.
“As everyone knows, we’ve experienced here in Mendocino County, and on the North Coast, we’ve been on the frontlines of the wildfire crisis for years, and we’ve experienced devastating fires,” McGuire said. “So we need a larger, well-trained firefighting workforce. That need has never been more urgent as we face a year-round fire season.”
In an interview, Huffman said the programs offered at Mendocino College, specifically those that will be offered at the new Willits campus, will support locals looking to build a career in the area. He said that this will be an accessible career pathway for those who may not want to attend traditional four-year universities.
“You don’t have to go to a four-year school and join a fraternity and pay crazy tuition. If you just want to get a job, earn a living, and support your family, this is for you,” Huffman said.
“This is about actually appreciating more that pathway to prosperity, and not just the credential snobbery that perhaps has been correctly criticized in the past,” he added. “I am still a big believer in four-year degrees and higher education of all types, but we have underappreciated this part of the higher education proposition.”