Groundbreaking Futures Reaches Completion

The Alamo Colleges District, in collaboration with its CIP Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), is thrilled to announce the successful culmination of its $450 million Groundbreaking Futures bond project – an investment in its moonshot of partnering to end poverty through education and training.

In May 2017, Bexar County voters approved a capital improvement bond proposal representing $450 million in Alamo Colleges District-wide capital improvements. The capital improvements are focused on meeting the community's needs with the future in mind. The projects represent a continued focus on training in high-wage, high-demand career fields, reaching underserved populations, and a continued focus on transfer pathways.

“Groundbreaking Futures is a legacy extending beyond classrooms. It’s an investment into the District’s moonshot to our students and our community,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. “This historic investment represents our community’s commitment to education. It’s a promise to our students, preparing them for transformative careers in high-wage, high-demand careers.”

Projects were determined with the input of a citizen’s bond advisory committee and included renovating existing facilities, adding new facilities, and expanding geographic reach within Bexar County.

Twenty out of twenty-four projects of uniquely designed projects around the Greater San Antonio area have been completed, including the construction of two new education and training centers, with a third center under development, two STEM centers, a Welding & Auto Body Collision Building, the John L. Santikos Micronaut Center, a First Responders Academy, and new buildings and renovations to support students in high-wage, high-demand fields such as nursing, cybersecurity, and tourism, hospitality and culinary arts.

In addition to the new and renovated capital improvement projects, part of the $500 million investment also involved much-needed IT enhancements and real estate acquisitions, which will allow the Alamo Colleges to continue expanding its footprint in its eight-county service region.

The CBOC oversaw the planning, budgeting, construction, and implementation of the 2017 Bond Projects for the Alamo Colleges throughout the projects.

“By focusing on efficiency, equity, and timeliness, we were able to deliver benefits to the community while upholding the trust and confidence placed in us by the taxpayers,” said Cris Medina, CBOC Chairman. “From renovating outdated classrooms to constructing state-of-the-art facilities, these projects directly impact the learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. The community will benefit for years to come because of this bond.”

$834M in total economic activity generated by the construction related to the capital improvements

The economic impact stemming from the capital improvements in construction has been substantial, generating over $834 million in total output. 

Additionally, the launch and expansion of 16 new academic programs, funded by the bond, are poised to inject further vitality into the economy, with an estimated total output surpassing $39 million over five years. 

The effects will also extend to graduates who secure employment in these fields, as their increased incomes are projected to contribute to economic growth, amounting to $6.6 billion throughout their careers. 

Learn more about the 20+ Groundbreaking Futures Projects at alamo.edu/cip