LAWRENCE COUNTY Early payment to keep center open into 2006

Center directors are seeking funding to help continue operations past June.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA STAFF
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- An early payment from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will keep the Lawrence County Learning Center viable through part of next year.
Arthur Zarone, executive director, said the learning center is looking for grants and donations to get it through the rest of 2006.
Zarone said in early October it was unclear if there would be enough money to allow the center to operate through the end of this year. He said the recent state aid payment will allow the center to operate through next June.
The learning center is a location where numerous community colleges, universities and other schools offer courses. Pupils are able to take enough courses at the New Castle site to allow them to transfer to a four-year college as a junior, Zarone said.
Financial challenge
Zarone said the $134,510 state grant has not increased in the last few years, but the budget has been supplemented by the city of New Castle.
City council reduced its expected contribution and then asked the center to not apply for nonprofit status as a condition of the payment.
The center withdrew its request for funding from the city and is seeking nonprofit status. The center board recently bought its building, which is on the Columbus Innerbelt.
Zarone said the center has been renting part of the building to a kitchen and bath supplier to help offset some costs.
cioffi@vindy.com