It’s an issue that many colleges throughout New York are facing. Enrollment is down and tuition is up. Corning Community College is no different.

“We were interested in being able to advocate for a new model for the state funding of community colleges in the SUNY system of New York,” said Dr. Katherine Douglas, president of Corning Community College.

That model calls for things like adjustments in inflation and predictable funding. Tuition at CCC went up almost 5 percent for the 2017-2018 school year after going up only 2 percent in years past. At the same time, the school's funding is declining as less and less state aid comes in

That's why the college's president is asking state lawmakers for more help. It’s something Assemblyman Phil Palmesano says businesses can certainly get behind. He said it all starts with investing in students. And officials say that investment will pay off. Eight of 10 Corning graduates either stay in the area or eventually choose to return.