A new education center that West Liberty State College wants to develope near the Cabela's retail store in Ohio County has received early support from U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, D-W.Va.
     Mollohan announced Friday that he secured $97,000 in federal funds for the college to plan its proposed Science, Mathematics and Research Technology - or "SMART" Center and Education Complex. The money will be used to finance a feasibility study, analysis, review and initial engineering/architectural studies. 
     "West Liberty is offering a bold idea for improving education and work force development in our region," said the congressman. "Programs offered through this new facility would help our children to acquire critical science and math skills, and help adults to advance their careers through continuing education."
     Mollohan said he placed the funds in the federal government's final spending bill of the year. The bill recently passed the House and Senate and was signed into law this week by President George W. Bush.
     "WLSC already operates one SMART Center in Warwood and has proposed building a second facility on a four-acre site at the Fort Henry Business and Industrial Centre. The property is owned by the Ohio County Commission, which has been in discussions with the college about the proposal.
     Ohio County Administrator Greg Stewart said the plans for the center are still in the very early stages. He added that a number of details - such as location and acreage - have not yet been determinded.
     Stewart said the college's rationale for wanting to locate the SMART Center at the Fort Henry site is to use the center, in part, as a tourist attraction. Students traveling to the center also would bring more traffic through the Fort Henry site, he said.
     College officials at West Liberty envision that the facility could serve the following functions.

• A statewide center to help teachers implement science and math curriculum for students kindergarten through  the eighth grade.
• A regional center for workforce development, continuing education and collaborative graduate programs with West Virginia University and Marshall University.
• A "virtual showcase" for West Virginia business, industry, research and government agencies, with the goal of enhancing economic development opportunities in the state.
• A tourism attraction that offers hands-on science and math activities for parents and children.