By: Kristyn Hodge, Copy Editor

According to the 2010 Census bureau less than a third of the population 25 years old or older has an education beyond high school. Citymelt.com states that only 11.82 percent of the population in Pendleton County has finished an associate's degree or higher. The hope of Gateway Community and Technical College is to create an opportunity to increase this percentage.

The work of the Gateway Focus Group began over two years ago in an attempt to bring greater educational opportunities to Pendleton County as well as surrounding counties who desire educational opportunities closer to home. With the growth in technology as the leader in U.S. and state economic expansion being able to provide the residents the chance to increase their skills is of greater importance than ever.