BUTLER TWP - Butler County Community College was awarded a state grant to enhance the training and higher education for Mercer County residents.

This is the third such grant the college has received for Mercer County since opening the site this year. The previous two grants totaled $374,000, allowing the college to open a new site at LindenPointe Technology Park in Hermitage in January.

That site provides post-secondary education and training for residents in Mercer County. Students can earn an associate degree in computer science, business administration, business management, elementary education, general studies and pre-nursing.

With the cooperation of other educational sites, libraries, laboratories and businesses, BC3 is able to offer complete associate degrees in Mercer County.

The new $90,000 grant will be used to support the recruitment and retention of students in the computer science program, explore the possibility of starting a program in health care and expand services for students in career counseling and placement.

For information about classes in Mercer County, call Todd Hittle at 724-346-2073.