Organization wants central campus

September 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — ACTION, a local faith-based community organization, is continuing its efforts to convince the state of Ohio that the Mahoning Valley needs a comprehensive community college with a central campus.

The group launched a petition-signing drive in July seeking 10,000 signatures to support its position.

It has secured more than 5,000 signatures so far and plans to continue the drive until Oct. 19.

The plan is to present those petitions to Gov. Ted Strickland; Eric Fingerhut, Ohio’s chancellor of higher education; U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th; and the state Legislature.

The organization has scheduled a press conference for 9:30 a.m. today to detail its plans.

ACTION is dissatisfied with the creation of the Eastern Gateway Community College that began offering classes for limited-degree programs this fall both online and at six locations in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson counties.

The group said it’s not looking for a spacious central campus setting, but has suggested there are existing facilities that can be used.

If nothing else, the group is seeking a state commitment for a fully functional community college with a central campus within five years.