HONESDALE, PA — Last March, the Wayne County Commissioners sent letters of support for a proposed Wayne/Pike Career and Technical Center to Pennsylvania government officials, with the hope that the state would allocate funding towards this proposal. Now, six months later, the commissioners are continuing to stand behind this project.

On September 19, the Wayne County Commissioners agreed to approve a letter of support for the Wayne/Pike Career Technology Center (CTC). CTCs offer hands-on experience in crucial skills alongside standard academic classes.

The commissioners are endorsing the partnership between the Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, Wallenpaupack and Delaware Valley school districts in their efforts to secure a Local Share Account (LSA) grant. This type of grant uses funds obtained from gaming revenue to provide funding for economic and community development and public interest projects.

The letter states that acquiring an LSA grant would allow the school districts to take the initial steps toward creating the CTC. These steps would include preliminary design and engineering plans, along with the completion of a feasibility study.

The letter emphasized the importance of creating an environment in which students are able to learn career skills that can eventually be used to “meet the ongoing workforce needs of our communities, creating a ripple effect throughout all of Wayne and Pike Counties.” 

Throughout the commonwealth there are over 80 CTCs, but there are none within a reasonable distance of Wayne or Pike counties. Having a proper CTC in the area will help to fill the “skills gap” found between a high school diploma and the skills needed for a technical job.

The letter ends with a call to appropriate funds towards the CTC so that the beginning phases of construction can commence on this “critical community project.”

In other county news:

Over the past two weeks three employees have been recognized for their time and service to the county. During their September 19 meeting, the county commissioners thanked both Nancy Kutch and Felicia Clark for their decade of service in the Area Agency on Aging. 

“[Nancy] has such a wealth of knowledge,” Mary Ursich, the administrator for the Area Agency on Aging, said. “She’s beloved by all of her coworkers and the seniors. She is just an incredible person.”

Next, Ursich spoke about how Felicia Clark started in Children in Youth and transferred over to the Area Agency on Aging about a year ago. Clark works in the protective services unit. “There are some similarities going from children to aging but it is a whole different ball game, so she’s had to pivot and adjust. She’s learned very quickly, and we are so happy to have her.”

Nicole Rutledge was also recognized during the September 26 meeting for her five years of service in the transportation department.