When asked recently to reveal the secret to creating a vibrant community, my ready answer was "education and economic development."

Our communities are fortunate to have strong community-building partners like Madison Area Technical College, providing accessible, affordable education that can literally transform lives.

MATC President Dr. Bettsey Barhorst understands that workers must gain new skills for the community to achieve economic development. Under her leadership, MATC's Reedsburg campus has grown to an enrollment of 865 students, each receiving the benefits of exceptional career training and personal development.

In the works next door to the Reedsburg MATC campus is a ‘continuum of care’ facility. Nursing students will benefit through expanded clinical experiences. Community residents will benefit through high-quality skilled nursing, assisted living and hospice care. When it opens in early summer of 2009, the 70,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing Sauk County Health Care Center.

The University of Wisconsin - Baraboo, another tremendous local asset, offers superb opportunities to area residents. For example, a new program in development would provide MATC nursing students the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree at the Baraboo campus.

For other community members, the answers are found at Upper Iowa University which has established a partnership with MATC to offer courses at the MATC campus that will count toward a bachelor’s degree in accounting. This opportunity is planned to expand to MATC criminal justice and health care administration programs.

Small business entrepreneurs also benefit from having a MATC campus nearby. The “Marketing on a Shoestring”, seminar at the Reedsburg MATC site on January 30 will be a springboard to a new MATC entrepreneurship certificate program.

The secrets of how to achieve a vibrant community are known to the educators at our K-12, colleges and university campuses. They are on the team with local and state leaders in government and business that is helping families toward brighter futures with higher incomes and stronger communities for all of us.