The Poloncarz Administration is taking a long look at the future direction of ECC as an outgrowth of the fight over a new $30 million building.
Originally, that building was to be on the North Campus where its aging buildings are prompting students to attend Niagara County Community College. An ensuing dispute emerged as downtown proponents argued the new building should go on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to train future health care workers.
Deputy County Executive Richard Tobe says the new building is vital to the future of ECC.
"We want to build a building that will most meets the needs of the community. We think it will be in technical education or advanced manufacturing education," Tobe said.
"But we're open to the results of the study. We have to let the study runs it course. and see if tf there is something else out there that we're otherwise missing. In a year or so, we'll be well positioned to make a decision about this building."
Tobe points to a new study saying 11,000 manufacturing workers in this area will retire over the next eight years and their replacements will require specialized training.
