‘Incredibly disheartening’: COCC hit by loss of $3 million in expected federal funds for Madras Campus expansion

(Update: Adding video)

Project still due for completion by next January; school will seek other funds

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A recent continuing resolution funding bill passed by Congress has resulted in the loss of $3 million in federal funding previously anticipated for the construction of Central Oregon Community College’s Madras campus expansion.

"The loss of this funding presents a significant setback to the project and the broader goal of expanding access to higher education, workforce training and child care resources for residents of Jefferson County," the school said in a Thursday announcement.

The funds were part of a community-initiated project request that was anticipated for inclusion in the final Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations package.

“We are deeply disappointed by the last-minute removal of this much-needed funding,” said Dr. Laurie Chesley, president of COCC. “This was our third formal request for federal support of the Madras campus expansion, and after successfully navigating the entire review and approval process, having the funding stripped away is incredibly disheartening. It is not just a loss for the college, but a loss for the residents of Madras and all of Jefferson County who deserve equitable access to education and training opportunities.”

Despite the setback, the college said construction on the expansion continues and is scheduled for completion in January 2026.

COCC said in a news release it "will now shift its efforts to quickly identify alternative funding sources to offset the gap left by the federal cut, placing greater emphasis on the need for state and local funding, reserve funds and philanthropic support driven by the Growing Together campaign, led by the COCC Foundation."

The Madras campus project aims to expand academic offerings in health care and early childhood education with increased child care options in partnership with The Children’s Learning Center and community education services in one of Central Oregon’s most underserved regions.

As part of COCC’s strategic commitment to access and community engagement, the expanded campus will serve as a hub for learning, collaboration and connection — empowering students and strengthening ties with the broader Jefferson County community.

To learn more about the Madras campus expansion, COCC’s goals of empowering the Jefferson County community or to make a donation, visit the Growing Together campaign at cocc.edu/growingtogether. Contact Zak Boone, COCC’s vice president of college advancement and executive director of the COCC Foundation, at zboone@cocc.edu or 541-383-7212 for more information.