Press: Why NIC Election Important

Coeur d’Alene Press editorial today: Most people have a good feeling about what North Idaho College means to the region. Even its staunchest critics had to raise an eyebrow, though, over the recent report on NIC’s economic impact. According to a study that was released at last week’s meeting of the NIC board of trustees:

• NIC has a positive impact of $165 million on the region’s economy — that’s 2.7 percent of the total regional economy.
• For students, the impact translates to an annual 16 percent return on their investment.
• For taxpayers, the annual return on investment is 6 percent.

Whether or not you buy those numbers isn’t critical to our discussion today. What does matter is that there is agreement over NIC’s place not just on the local academic landscape, but on the economic one, as well. More here.

Question: The Press editorial writer goes on to credit the NIC board of trustees for its solid job in running the college in these trying times, name Trustees Mic Armon and Judy Meyer, two incumbents seeking re-election. But not naming any of the challengers. What do you make of that?