Robbins: State Funds Will
Expand Community College Opportunities Into Mercer
County
Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50)
today announced the awarding of $374,500 in state
funds to allow Mercer County residents to access
Community College courses through Butler County
Community College.
Robbins said the aid comes in the form of two
grants. Butler County Community College was
awarded a $283,000 "2+2+2 Educational Program"
grant to expand services into Mercer County for
its Associate Degree program in Manufacturing and
its Certificate/Diploma programs in Machine Tool
Technology and Manufacturing Related Technologies.
Robbins said the college was also awarded a
$91,500 "Community College Services Expansion"
grant to expand additional services into Mercer
County in collaboration with the Mercer County
Career Center and the regional Community Education
Council.
"These grants demonstrate a coordinated effort
to develop and retain manufacturing jobs and other
well-paying, skilled work in Mercer County. To
create jobs in Mercer County, there must be a
reliable supply of skilled workers that will
attract and retain employers," said Robbins. "We
must use every resource available to develop such
a workforce, and these funds allow Mercer County
to access the exceptional educational services of
Butler County Community College."
The 2+2+2 Educational Program grants are
awarded to a career and technical school, a
community college, a college or a university or
other partner for the development and
implementation of secondary and post-secondary
education programs in the advanced manufacturing,
biotechnology/life sciences and information
technology industries. Integrated and seamless
education programs are established across
secondary and two- and four-year degree programs.
Expansion grants for prior 2+2+2 programs require
a 50 percent enrollment increase.
Community College Services Expansion grants are
awarded for the implementation of community
college programming and education services within
local workforce investment areas, with priority
given to underserved areas of the state.
"It has always been a goal of mine to bring
additional higher educational opportunities to
residents of Mercer County," said Robbins. "I am
pleased that Butler County Community College is
filling this void."
CONTACT: Mike Hengst (717) 787-1322
