The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Saturday, June 1, 2002

MERCER COUNTY

State grants bolster efforts to keep local grads in area

By Larissa Theodore
Herald Staff Writer

Two state grants aimed at keeping young people in the area were awarded to Mercer County.

Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District, said the "Stay and Invent the Future" grants are aimed at educating young residents about available career opportunities in Mercer County.

"In our region and across Pennsylvania, too many graduates are looking elsewhere for opportunity. It's a serious problem." Robbins said. "Students say they want to stay, but they don't know enough about local career opportunities. These grants are aimed at changing that."

Penn-Northwest Development Corp., the county's lead development agency, and Greenville Area School District will each receive a grant. Penn-Northwest will receive $53,000 to assist with its Mercer County College internship program designed to educate students about area internships and employers.

The Greenville schools will receive $6,500 for a program called "You Mean They Do That Here in Mercer County?," which is designed to show students how new technologies are being implemented in local businesses.

Robbins said the local grants are among 78 being awarded by the state in an effort to retain graduates and attract young people to Pennsylvania.

Brad Ehrhart, assistant director at Penn-Northwest, said the agency is pleased with the grant.

He said the grant will allow Penn-Northwest to reimburse companies up to $2,000 in costs of having interns. He said the grant will also give interns connections in Mercer County so they can become permanent employees. The grant money will fund at least 25 intern positions and the goal is that at least five of those will work in Mercer County after graduation, Ehrhart said.

Todd Hittle, career education coordinator for Greenville School District said the district is also thrilled.

He said the grant will allow K-12 students and staff members to take field trips to local businesses and learn more about the types of technology being used locally.

"I've found that a lot of students and even staff members don't fully understand the type of technology that is being used in Mercer County," Hittle said. "There are some pretty neat companies in town and in the county."

He said the grant will also be used for staff training.

"I'm pleased that the state and the region are getting more aggressive about showing our youth the opportunities they can find right here," Robbins said.

Employers interested in the Penn-Northwest intern reimbursement program should visit www.penn-northwest.com for program guidelines and applications.



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