BUTLER TWP — Trustees at Butler County Community College took another step Wednesday to finalize a renovation project at the college’s Children’s Creative Learning Center, approving a $1.1 million loan that will make up the state’s portion of funding for the $2.2 million project.

The loan through Farmer’s National Bank was set at a fixed 5.5 percent rate and repayment will run for 10 years, according to documents provided by the college.

The center, which is a state-licensed preschool and day care center that serves BC3 students, staff and members of the community, moved from its previous location at Armstrong Lodge to the college’s main campus in 2010. That year it enrolled 31 children in preschool, day care and kindergarten. The center also provides services for several BC3 student programs, including early childhood education and nursing.

The renovation project, which will double the center’s size, is being funded in part by a $1 million donation from John L. Wise III and family. Wise, who is vice president and treasurer of the Butler Eagle, made the donation last year in memory of his sister, Amy Wise, who was a teacher.

The board also approved a contract with DPH Architecture, a Canfield, Ohio-based engineering firm, to oversee the project. The contract caps DPH’s administrative fee for services at $135,000.

BC3 President Nick Neupauer said the project is expected to begin sometime this summer.