2010

East Central preps to move downtown East Central Com– training," Hartley said.

signed document to be e– mailed to ECCC officials and speed the start or'the process. "For several years," she explained later, "they have been a presence m Leake County; their mobile unit was set up at the vo-tech, so their pres– ence is not new. "However, relocating that unit to the square will only enhance our partnership." In additiop., she said, t he mobile unit had sim– ply worn out. The community col– lege's mission through the mobile unit, now the site on the square, however, has changed regularly and will likely continue to do so, she said. "'t changes over time," she explained. "They offer services based on the need of the community. "An example would be if you had a small busi– ness and you needed your employees trained to your unique needs. East Central could do that for you." The program and devel– opment, she said, were "a par tner sh ip with the Workforce Development Division" of ECCC, and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center at the Decatur– based community college. What will result with the move, she said, will be growth. "This site will allow them to set up more actu– al equipment needed for

munity College could be establishing a presence square in the heart ofCar– thage soon. Melanie Hartley, execu– tive director of the Leake Development Association , said measures taken Monday morning by Leake County supervisors cleared the way for ECCC to set up shop on the south end of the town square. Under the plan as explained to supervisors, and approved unanimous– ly, East Central would pay $600 per month for three years in rent for what once was the county jus– tice court complex. In turn, East Central, via a grant administered by the foundation, would do some $21,000 in reno– vations to the building. Leake County would pay utilities for the opera– tion, which Hartley explained later could entail a number of educa– tional functions. East Central's presence m the town, she said, was nothing new, but the move would mean better quar– ters, more opportunities and a mor e pr ominent presence. The effort is funded from part of a $1.8 nullion Community Based Job Training Gr ant awarded East Central in June, Hartley said. She brought the matter to supervisors' attention shortly after that and, after Monday's approval, said she would scan the

"'t will give them more classrooms, as well as allow them to have a more permanent presence." Carthage and Leake County will enjoy, she said, a particular advan– tage in the program. Lucretia Williams, a Carthage resident who serves work force develop– ment, "works with EC and travels to their other sites, but she will be centered here," Hartley said Work to overhaul the building should start quickly, she sa1d. "We will be working on renovations as soon as we can get the contractor moving on that."

NESHOBA DEMOCRAT SCOTT COUNTY TIMES WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL CLARION-LEDGER

------ ------ ---

-------