Grants aim to keep students in county

MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County has received two state grants aimed at keeping young people in the county.
Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, said "Stay and Invent the Future" grants were awarded to Penn-Northwest Development Corp. and the Greenville Area School District.
Penn-Northwest is receiving $53,000 to assist the Mercer County College Internship Program, which is designed to educate students about the employers and internships in the area.
The Greenville schools will receive $6,500 to fund a program called, "You Mean They Do That Here in Mercer County?" The program will demonstrate to students how new technologies are being implemented in local businesses.
Robbins said the grants are among 78 "Stay and Invent the Future" grants awarded recently by the state.
The goal is to encourage graduates to remain in Pennsylvania.
"Most graduates don't want to uproot and move away from their families if the don't have to," Robbins said. "It's up to leaders in the region to reach out to them and show them they don't have to leave. Students say they want to stay, but they don't know enough about local career opportunities."