Community college wants more area students

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — It’s New Castle versus Union Township in the war of words over what’s the best location for the Butler County Community College’s new campus.

The college is looking for a space to expand in Lawrence County in hopes of attracting more students from Lawrence, Mercer and Mahoning counties.

The school currently offers courses at the Lawrence County Learning Center and the county career and technical training center, but it wants a facility of its own.

College officials heard six proposals last week in their effort to find the right spot, said William O’Brien, vice president for continuing education and off-campus sites.

O’Brien said three locations are in Union Township, two in Neshannock Township and one in New Castle.

But the support of the city plan by Lawrence County Commissioner Ed Fosnaught has ignited a war of sorts at commissioner meetings among audience members.

A contingent of Union Township elected officials, employees, business owners and residents appeared Tuesday to advocate for their community.

Fosnaught and several city residents were on hand to give the merits of a city location. No one appeared on behalf of Neshannock Township.

But what is said at the commissioner meetings really won’t affect the college’s decision, say the other two commissioners.

Commissioners Steve Craig and Dan Vogler say they are happy the college is locating in the county and do not plan to advocate for any single site.

Fosnaught, however, wants the county to provide money for the project in exchange for lower tuition costs for the pupils attending.

Craig and Vogler say it’s too early to talk about county involvement.

“My feeling is once they decide, then we need to be ready to assist them — wherever it is located,” Vogler said.

O’Brien said they hope to have the new location chosen by late February or early March.