New education complex opens today in Ottawa

9/22/2006

OTTAWA, Ohio A new education complex built following the closure of this Putnam County village s largest employer opens today.

In 2004, the village and Putnam County learned they would be receiving a $1,725,000 federal grant from the Department of Commerce s Economic Development Administration to build the 28,000-square-foot complex to help, in part, with retraining the area s work force.

About 1,500 people lost their jobs when LG Philips Displays closed its picture tube production plant in December, 2002.

Putnam County has no colleges within its boundaries, but area colleges and vocational schools plan to offer classes at the new center, which also houses the offices of the Putnam County Educational Service Center.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., followed by refreshments and tours of the facility, which is across the street from the new Putnam County YMCA.