Maine’s community colleges are a smart investment, and they have demonstrated that they can provide a high-quality education at a low cost. This Nov. 6, voters will have a chance to invest in community colleges by voting “yes” on Question 5.

A “yes” vote on Question 5 will invest $15 million to improve educational opportunities for students at Maine’s seven community colleges. The investment will help to upgrade laboratories and classrooms and increase access to a number of high-demand programs.

Question 5 includes $2,503,755 for Central Maine Community College and will allow the college to renovate and expand instructional laboratories, upgrade information technology infrastructure and upgrade heating and ventilating systems for improved energy efficiency and long-term savings.

There are good jobs across Maine that are open, but businesses are having a hard time finding workers with the right skills. The state’s community colleges provide the affordable education to fill those high demand jobs.

I hope others will join me in voting “yes” on Question 5 on Election Day. Community colleges have shown that they can be a pathway to a great career.

Denis Fortier, Lewiston