Economy cited as reason enrollment is up at area community colleges

Enrollment at area community colleges is up this fall, with officials citing the economy as the main reason more students are headed to the classroom. Minnesota State Community and Technical College has 5,802 students taking classes on the four campuses or on the Internet, a 3.8 percent increase over the 5,590 students enrolled last year at this time, said Carrie Brimhall, dean of enrollment.