WARREN -- Message from Dave Kinchen, Tuesday, July 14- 4:51 p.m.

In the 7 months of President Barack Obama’s Administration so far, one of the largest educational down payments came to light.  It was before a crowd of about 2,000 people at Macomb Community College where the president introduced the American Graduation Initiative. 

The $12 billion investment will go to several sectors of community college education including grants, building construction and virtual curriculum development to reach out to students taking classes at home. 

“We’ve got to prepare our people with the skills they need to compete in this global economy,” Obama said. 

Higher graduation levels are a must, he added.  He set a goal of America having the highest graduation and certificate completion rate in the world by 2020.

Touting other achievements in education, Obama said Pell Grants have been increased by $500, making reference to higher education accessibility. 

“We’ve simplified student applications and made sure that aid is not based on the job you’ve just lost,” Obama said. 

The president spent time on other issues such as health care reform.  He said reducing high health care costs goes hand in hand with reducing the national debt. 

Obama also praised Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her work in alternative energy jobs, including both the solar and wind turbine industries.  

Obama leaves Michigan for St. Louis where he will throw out the first pitch in the All-Star game Tuesday night.

Message from Dave Kinchen, Tuesday, July 14- 2:30 p.m.

You could call it the Midwestern presidential tour of 2009, complete with a Michigan stop at Macomb Community College in Warren.  President Barack Obama’s first stop to Michigan as president takes on the theme of higher education.   Set to speak before about 2,000 people with many being students or staff members of MCC, the president will reveal the Administration’s $12 billion dollar community college investment agenda.  The bulk of that money will go to fund community college grants, along with building and construction.       

The speech, scheduled for 3:30pm will be before an audience that includes several state and national leaders: both past and present.  The Obama-Biden Administration’s Car Czar Ed Montgomery is here along with Governor Jennifer Granholm, Detroit’s newly elected Mayor Dave Bing and former Mayor Dennis Archer are also in attendance. 

The president will leave Michigan just in time to arrive in St. Louis for the All Star game where he will throw out the first pitch. 

Look for further updates on NBC25’s Facebook and Twitter pages- along with ConnectMidMichigan.com 

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