The debate over the location of the Erie County Community College is gaining momentum.  

Members and supporters of the NAACP marched down State Street on Monday to call for the establishment of a community college in downtown Erie. 

"If you really want to transform the lives of the poor people in our community, and they are all colors,” said Erie NAACP President Gary Horton. “They’re black and brown, new American, there are poor whites, education is the only way you can do that.” 

Erie High School senior Kumba Fayia moved to Erie from West Africa in 2009. 

She hopes to further her education by attending the Erie County Community College. 

"This can actually change our lives,” said Fayia. “I come from a home of 10.  I have 10 siblings and my mom can't afford to send all of us, so we need this opportunity." 

Horton says there are enough resources in downtown Erie for the college to be split up into several different buildings instead of one centralized campus. 

"If you look at Gannon University, they're not in one location,” said Horton. “They are in several locations downtown.  What sense does it make to start out putting the community college in one location?"

The establishment of Erie County Community College was approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education in July 2020 with the first classes tentatively scheduled for the Fall 2021 semester.  

A call into Erie County Community College Board of Trustees President Ron DiNicola for comment has not yet been returned.