Venango Training and Development Center Inc. in Seneca is celebrating 40 years of service to Venango and surrounding counties.

The training center, which provides programs and employment in the community to people with disabilities, is marking the milestone with events all year. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate achievements by staff, board members, trainees and the community was held Wednesday prior to the center’s monthly board meeting.

On Jan. 23, 1973, the training center was incorporated as a non-profit organization. The center provided programs at that time to 22 trainees and taught the trainees daily living skills.

Since that time, the center has increased its programs and extended its services to the disadvantaged.

The center has also become a provider of contract packaging and commercial janitorial services throughout the region.

The program provides services to Venango, Clarion, Forest, Clearfield, Crawford, Erie, Jefferson and Warren counties.

Colleen Stuart, the training center CEO, said Wednesday that “VTDC will continue to evolve to the needs of the community, helping people reach their highest potential. The staff have really risen to make sure there are opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged.”

Training center board president Matt Nerone said he has seen a lot of change in his 12 years of service to the program and said there are plans to keep the changes going strong.

Board vice president Lisa Groner called VTDC “the biggest secret in Venango County.”

“We’re hoping more people visit us and see what we’re about here,” Groner said.