News Release

WABASH — Construction of an Adult Learning Center is underway at 1100 Cass Street, the former Miller Furniture Store.

Wabash County industry, economic development, education, government and philanthropy partners are realizing a long-time goal of establishing a Wabash County adult learning center to give adults a one-stop location for high school equivalencies, postsecondary courses, certifications and workforce trainings that will help prepare them for high demand, higher paying jobs.

The adult learning center will offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to enhance employability and personal growth. Adult students will have opportunities to pursue basic literacy and English Language courses, complete high school equivalency instruction, prepare for college and pursue vocational training and industry standard certifications in Industrial Maintenance, Advanced Manufacturing, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Industry 4.0, Child Development Associate, CDL training and Leadership Development, to name a few. The Center will be led by the Learn More Center, who will coordinate use of the new center by other education providers and partners, including Freedom Academy, Ivy Tech Community College, IU Kokomo, Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Besiege LLC, Manchester University and WorkOne.

Wabash County’s Learn More Center, the county’s highly successful adult basic education program, has a more than 20-year history of empowering adults through education and training. In a milestone move to expand its role in adult education, the Learn More Center signed a lease on July 15 to occupy and build out the new center. In the spring of 2025, LMC will relocate their Wabash services and operations to the new 1100 Cass Street location, where it will continue to offer its own programs as well as provide leadership and coordination for use of the center by other education providers and partners. This expansion of the space and inclusion of additional providers and services represents the realization of a long-held community vision to create a dedicated center for adult learning, career advancement and workforce development.

A Wabash County adult training center has been a community vision for the Learn More Center and also economic developers, industry leaders, social service agencies, public education, philanthropy and government. Patty Grant, President of the Community Foundation of Wabash County notes, “Many have steadfastly advocated and nurtured a vision for a place where Wabash County adults can pursue career opportunities, workforce certifications and lifelong learning. Today, this dream is becoming a reality thanks to the financial support of county businesses, economic development, local and county government and many private citizens. We are grateful to the Learn More Center for taking this step to expand the scope of their services and provide even more learning opportunities to Wabash County adults, their families and our businesses,” said Grant.

Grant added, “The Learn More Center was conceived in 2002 by community leaders and was initially funded by the Community Foundation through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Community Alliance to Promote Education. For the past 22 years, Learn More Center has successfully helped adults learn to read, pass high school equivalency exams and advance to post-secondary education. Each year, the Learn More Center graduates 40 to 50 students with a high school equivalency, ready for post-secondary education and training that will further prepare them for the workforce and support their families.” Through those years, Grant notes, the Learn More Center has been generously supported by the Community Foundation, private citizens, businesses, as well as State of Indiana Workforce Development Initiatives.

Recent funding from the Community Foundation of Wabash County, the City of Wabash and the Wabash County Commissioners has supported the expansion of the location. Pauline Barker Educational Trust has supported Learn More Center and their efforts for over a decade, and are deeply invested in the expansion. Over $500,000 from Wabash County donors has been receipted in recent years by the Community Foundation for the purpose of building an adult training center. Contributions demonstrate the need and the generosity and commitment of Wabash County individuals, industries and organizations. Combined support from local stakeholders and persistent leadership enables the Learn More Center to expand its services and to transform the long-vacant Miller Furniture Building into a vibrant center for adult learning.

According to Julie Garber, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Community Foundation, “Adults in Wabash County are already making quick use of existing workforce grants to improve their skills. Grow Wabash County and the Community Foundation have invested $150,000 in the last two years to help students and industries gear up for growth. While funding is meant to last the year, students snatch up all funding opportunities well before the end of the year. Before we made the commitment to build a center, we had clear evidence of the need for adult postsecondary education.”

The Learn More Center will schedule space for educational partners who want to offer trainings and courses in the facility. These partners will include, Freedom Academy, WorkOne, Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership, IU Kokomo, Besiege LLC, Manchester University and Ivy Tech Community College. Adult students at any level of education from literacy to high school equivalency to postsecondary credit will find the program they need under one roof. Teachers and staff will be able to walk students from literacy to high school equivalency and on to next level programs in a seamless transition. In its first year, Learn More Center and its partners aim to serve 150 students overall and at least 50 students in industry-recognized training programs.

The adult learning center will support Wabash County’s goals for long-term economic growth and resilience by advancing talented, skilled workers who can fill the county’s high demand and high paying jobs. A high school credential, according to census figures, can boost a worker’s annual wages by $8,900. This year’s graduating class of 34 students will average a total of $302,000 in increased earnings over their counterparts without a diploma. Once further education or career certifications are obtained, even more income will be available.

Renovations are soon to be under way at 1100 Cass Street. Cynthia Johnson, Director of the Learn More Center, calls the development of the center the first step in supporting an education hub where citizens can access many levels of education and improve their earning potential and their value to businesses and industries that provide Wabash County with high demand, high wage jobs. Johnson says, “We are grateful to the many county leaders who worked tirelessly over many years, and those who contributed generously to realize the vision of a county adult learning center. We continue to depend on these partnerships for direction and advising as the demand for skills change, but our close working relationships will help us meet the challenges today and tomorrow.”

Tenille Zartman, Learn More Center, Board President, said, “We are excited to begin the renovation and eagerly anticipate the opening of the transformed space. This is a significant step towards realizing our vision of an adult learning hub. As we continue to expand, the increased capacity will bring opportunities that require additional equipment, operating expenses and staffing. We are confident that with the continued support of our community, generous donors, businesses and partnerships, we can meet these growing needs and create a vibrant learning environment for all.”