IDAHO FALLS — For the first time in College of Eastern Idaho’s history, the state’s Joint Financial Appropriation Committee visited the institution.

The 50 members of Idaho’s JFAC, which has provided financial support for CEI since 2017, heard testimony from industry leaders about the school’s ability to prepare community members for jobs.

CEI’s President Lori Barber told the committee it has funded nearly $1.7 million in career technical enhancements and around $500,000 in enrollment workload adjustments.