LOMPOC, Calif. - The city of Lompoc is looking to add another school within city limits.
Lompoc has made it it's mission to get more jobs in the area and bring the economy to life. Having a university in the Lompoc Valley could bring jobs and more companies to the area.
Lompoc Economic Development Committee member Rick Rantz says, "when we look at the entire picture of bringing a university here, we really think it's a win for the entire community."
Rantz is at the head of an effort to bring a 4-year university to the valley. He's had discussions and meetings with several universities that are interested, but he couldn't say which ones because talks are very preliminary. Rantz also serves as a dean at the one college campus that Lompoc currently has: Allan Hancock College.
Rantz says the new university would not compete with Allan Hancock College. Instead, they could actually work together.
"We can work on joint programs, joint grant opportunities to really work in collaboration with any institution that comes into the community," says Rantz.
The economic impact on the surrounding community is a big driving force. Lompoc has a higher unemployment rate than Santa Barbara and Santa Maria. A university would bring jobs. Lompoc Mayor John Linn says seven potential sites for the university are being looked at but he wouldn't say where. According to Linn this is still years away, but he is looking forward to the end result.
"Bringing a 4-year university here, it would give students the opportunity to pursue their complete degree here. And of course it's a huge economic driver, having a bunch of folks here spending money in the community," says Linn.
Rantz says a lot of the universities that he's spoken with are very positive about coming to Lompoc. One of the main reasons is the relatively low cost of living.
