For more than five decades Collins Career Center has helped youth and adults achieve their dreams.

Now the vocational school needs our help to meet the growing needs of today’s students who are going to enter tomorrow’s job market.

The vocational and technical school has been a vital part of the educational landscape for years and this levy will help the school grow its physical buildings as well as the tools needed to train individuals for the workforce.

Taxpayers had actually been paying to help the school for more than 15 years but that levy expired last year and a clerical error prevented it from being on the 2010 primary ballot in time to be renewed.

So, although this cannot technically be considered a renewal, that is essentially what it is because this is something that we have supported for years.

The levy would be used to help fund the school’s share of a $22 million renovation project. The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission is slated to pay for 75 percent of the project, but the career center must provide the other portion.

A state funding freeze enacted two years ago — and still in place today — has limited the school in terms of what it can do on its own.

Meanwhile, more people than ever are seeking career training and guidance into the workforce.

With more than 100 additional students, Collins Career Center needs the additional 11,000 square feet this levy would finance.

The impact on taxpayers is minimal — the levy would cost $15.32 a year if you own a $100,000 home — but the impact on Lawrence County’s future could be immeasurable.