The Metro Chamber celebrates the approval by voters of Measure M, which will allow Los Rios Community College District to issue a $475 million general obligation bond to build new classrooms and add green technology, business and other need class offerings, among other expansion plans.

The campaign for Measure M was chaired by Metro Chamber board member, architect Bruce Starkweather of Lionakis. The Metro Chamber's independent political action committee, Metro PAC contributed $5,000 to the campaign and contacted voters 50,000 times. The measure passed 57 percent to 43 percent.

"In the last four years, enrollment at our regional community collegeshas increased by 25 percent," said Matt Mahood, Metro Chamber president & CEO. "In a time when the economy is slow and many are looking to improve their skills or enter into a new career, community colleges are more important than ever. By investing in our community colleges, we are investing in the region's workforce--and hence the region's businesses. This is a major Metro Chamber priority."