Portage, Michigan

8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 PORTAGE , MI CHIGAN support and a lot easier with funding. Portage has both. The community approved a $175 million bond request for five new elementary schools, and that followed another successful bond passed to build two new middle schools, one new high school and renovate another high school. Additionally, the community supported a $10.5 million dollar restoration project for the district library. “I just think you find a very sophisticated citizen that demands that of us,” Randall says. “We have new schools, from all levels.” Education runs deep in the region. Kalamazoo County boasts three higher institutes of education: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. KVCC, in particular, has partnered with many of the local manufacturers to teach specific skill sets. In addition, the Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency (an umbrella organization for the local county school districts) is building a new, state-of-the- art career technology and education center, called the KRESA Career Center. Herringa explains, “It’s right on the border of Portage and will be a fabulous county-wide draw.” A voter- approved millage and local philanthropy are covering the cost of the project. The City of Portage receives significant support from its citizens when it comes to spending public funds and those citizens don’t shy away from making additional investments. In 2019, the city undertook its first public-private funding approach to build the new Charles & Lynn Zhang Portage Community Senior Center. As the largest donors, the Zhangs – longtime Portage residents and business owners – committed $2 million to help launch this successful fundraising effort. An additional $3.7 million was raised through the generosity of businesses and people across the region. The new facility just had its ribbon cutting in May and came in under budget. The