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Those looking to advance their career or start one may soon have a cheaper resource as a community college opens in Northumberland County. Residents here would receive a discount should the commissioners contribute.
Luzerne County Community College, in Watsontown, is slated to open in September.
Bob Garret, president of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, told the Lycoming County commissioners Thursday he was looking for the six closest counties to work together and contribute $100,000 to support the college.
If the commissioners decided to contribute, Lycoming County residents would pay the in-county tuition, and be excused from paying an energy fee.
"Many careers these days are requiring some certification, some additional education. We believe a community college can serve as that mezzanine between a secondary diploma and possibly post-secondary education," said Garret.
The cost of a four-year degree has gone up to about $300,000 at most schools and even at more affordable schools, it's around $200,000, he said.
Pennsylvania has the second-highest college debt nationwide, he said.
"You think of colleges as a bunch of 19-year-olds or 18-year-olds, but the average age of the student attending a community college in Pennsylvania is actually 29 years old," said Garret.
Through interviews with 800 students and parents in the local area, Garrett said the main reason why they aren't going to college is because they need to be able to work while attending.
"The community college again works perfectly with those kind of folks," he said.
Additionally, students at the local high schools will be able to earn college credits for $64 per credit.
John Kurelja, with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, who presented with Garrett, said that although there are great colleges in our area, like Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College, they don't fit the same niche this college will.
Penn State University, for example, charges $500 per credit, while Luzerne Community College will only be charging about $134. Credits earned at the community college will also be transferable, meaning a student could attend that college and move on toward a state or private university.
Commissioner Rick Mirabito said he supports aiding the college.
"We know that the biggest struggle we have in rural Pennsylvania is the labor force," he said. "We have employers who can get capital for investment, they can get land, they can get energy, but they can't get a workforce."
A work-ready and stable population would be enticing for business to move into our area and invest, improving the quality of life for everyone, he said.
"I'm excited about this, because I know that we have a potential out there," he said.
Neither Commissioner Jack McKernan nor Commissioner Tony Mussare voiced their opinions on the matter at that time.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved of the elimination of a full-time deputy coroner and the addition of a full-time district attorney law clerk.
• Voted 2-1 to add one full-time law clerk for the domestic relations department. Mussare voted no.
• Approved a professional service agreement with Richard E. Dowell for neuropsychological services.
• Approved a transmission replacement for a truck used at the transfer station for $15,307 through Susquehanna Motor Company Inc.
• Approved a purchase agreement to Thermo Eberline LLC, for $21,304 to replace the radiation detector above the weight station at the landfill.
• Renewed the JusticeWorks Youthcare Inc., Diakon/Spin and Mid-Atlantic Youth Services professional service agreements.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in the briefing room at the Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St.