Erie County Legislature invests additional funds into ECC for 2016

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick announced the Erie County Legislature approved an additional $254,317 for Erie Community College in the 2016 budget. The additional funding brings the county's total investment to $16.2 million for ECC next year.

"Erie Community College is the 'Peoples' College of Erie County,' and it is at a crossroad," Hardwick said. "This additional funding will help ensure the college achieves its twin goals of providing a quality education to those who might otherwise be unable to afford it, and helping train the workforce of the future."

"We at ECC thank the Legislature for their continued leadership and support of our education-based mission," ECC President Jack Quinn said. "These additional funds will certainly aid that mission, and we look forward to finding more ways to work with the county to further support our students."

Hardwick urged County Executive Mark Poloncarz to support this additional funding priority in next year's budget. He said the additional funding was added into the 2016 budget without increasing overall spending in the next fiscal year. In fact, the Legislature lowered the property tax rate for the second consecutive year.

For information or assistance, contact Hardwick's legislative office at 716-858-8672 or email [email protected].