NEW CASTLE — A Lawrence County commissioner supports the idea of using county money to coax Butler County Community College to build a facility in New Castle.

Ed Fosnaught defended his plan to contribute $2 million from the county to get the college to build near a park and ride lot, which could bring about $18 million in federal money to the city for development. He did not ask for a vote on the matter Thursday because he said he did not think the other commissioners agreed with him. Several residents questioned him about the plan.

BC3 has said one of the sites in Lawrence County where the college currently offers classes is going to begin charging rent. Because of that, the college announced it was seeking other locations in the county.

O'Brien said the college is "exploring" options to get all of its classes in one building. In Lawrence County, the college offers classes in the Learning Center, the vo-tech, and two high schools. The college would still use some of those facilities for certain programs, he said.

O'Brien said the college looked at the demographics of the county and found a Union Township site near a shopping complex would have access to about 200,000 people. He said that's a sufficient number of people out of which about 500 students might come to the college.

Other developers asked the college if it would consider their sites,O'Brien said, and the college said it would accept proposals until Nov. 15.

O'Brien said the college is looking for a site with about 2,500 square feet of room for classrooms, computer labs and office space; 300 parking spaces; and the opportunity for expansion. Also, he said the college is looking to lease, not buy.

Fosnaught said he would like to bring the college to New Castle because of a federal program that provides up to $18 million if a facility that would enhance public transportation is within a half mile of the park and ride facility on Croton Avenue.

The county's commitment of $2 million could bring the $18 million from the Federal Transit Administration and other sources, he said.

Commissioner Dan Vogler said he does not think it is his place to support one location over another. He said he welcomed the college's expansion into the county regardless of which municipality it is in.

Sally Byler, secretary for the Union Township supervisors, said she didn't think the county should support a specific site or use county dollars for the city location.

Fosnaught supports the college expanding to any location in the county but said the possible $18 million is a bonus the county should try to get. He said a college downtown could help restaurants, bookstores and coffee shops.

Commissioner Steve Craig was absent.

The commissioners next meet on Nov. 14.

The college also has told students in Lawrence County that they will no longer get a discounted tuition rate and will instead pay the Pennsylvania rate. Students inLawrence county previously paid the Butler County rate plus an additional $10.

Bill O'Brien, vice president for continuing education and off-campus sites, said Lawrence County students were charged the lower sponsored rate because there were no expenses related to the facilities in Lawrence County. That changed when the vocational-technical school announced it would charge rent.

Fosnaught said he would like Lawrence County to contribute to the college so county students could have the discounted rates again.

"I see no reason why we should not make contributions for education," he said. "Every kid can't afford to go to Westminster."