Students are shown in a college writing class in Butler County Community College’s new BC3 @ Armstrong facility in Ford City, on its opening day to students Monday, March 13. The facility encompasses 15,000 square feet – 13,000 more than the dedicated space available at BC3 @ Armstrong’s former location in Manor Township. A community grand opening is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 12.

Butler County Community College’s $6.5 million BC3 @ Armstrong in Ford City debuted to students the morning of March 13 as an additional location succeeding the original in nearby Manor Township.

A community grand opening starting at 4 p.m. and running until 6 p.m. April 12 will introduce the public to a BC3 facility that other BC3 @ Armstrong students called “magnificent” and “inviting and futuristic.”

The state-of-the-art facility at 1100 Fourth Ave., whose construction was financed by public and private funds, is on the site of a former school, includes the name of former state Rep. Jeff Pyle and is expected to increase commerce in the borough’s downtown.