By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
North Central State College’s Crawford Connection Center took another step forward Thursday – make that a giant leap.
Bucyrus Timken Plant Manager Bob Hiltbrand presented a check for $250,000 on behalf of the Timken Foundation to North Central State College. That represents half of a $500,000 commitment the foundation has made to the project to provide a post-secondary option close to home for Crawford County residents.
“It came from a lot of different conversations. It started with Dave Williamson, and also Janet Pry, and Chris Harris who was with North Central State College about a partnership in creating a higher education learning center in Crawford County.” Hiltbrand said. “They actually got all the larger businesses together to pitch the idea, so out of that I felt it would be a good gesture and a good recommendation for our foundation to make a sizable donation to help get the project kicked off.”
The other portion of the grant will be donated by the Timken Foundation in September.
Courses at the Crawford Connection Center are expected to begin in 2015; however more still needs to be done before the project is complete.
“We have a lot of work to do between now and then, not just physical, but also building the curriculum and getting everyone involved. We got a little more fundraising to do,” said Williamson, director of economic development in Crawford County. “What we are trying to do is put together funding so that that center, with the exception of actual instruction, all other costs are covered for five years so it has a chance of succeeding. It is going to take time to build up enough people taking classes there to pay all the bills.”
The cost of the project is expected to be $2.1 million. The college has already accepted an Ohio Community Projects grant of $850,000, a $250,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Crawford County, as well as a private donation from Joe and Susan Shadeed.
“It was Joe’s vision initially that launched this, and he put forth a very generous pledge and that got the ball rolling. We are grateful, we feel blessed, and we see good things for Crawford County,” said Betty Preston, vice president for North Central State College Institutional Advancement..
The, which will renovated space at 130 North Walnut street in Bucyrus formerly used by the Crawford County Board of Elections, will feature three classrooms, a computer lab, an office, a lobby, and a counseling room.
The curriculum for the Crawford Connection Center will initially focus on manufacturing, introduction to healthcare, entry level general classes, as well as a condensed program leading to an associates of arts degree.
For more information on the Crawford Connection Center, please contact Keith Stoner, NSCS, 419.755.4810, kstoner@ncstatecollege.edu; or Michelle Failor, Crawford: 20/20 Vision, 419.653.1809, michellef@crawford-co.org.