STATE COLLEGE — The Planned Parenthood medical center at 137 S. Pugh St. will close Tuesday, after offering family planning and sexuality education services there for more than a decade.

In a press release from Planned Parenthood of Northeast and Mid-Penn, the closure will take place because of the recent economic downturn.

Spokeswoman Andrea Dolak said the closure coincides with the end of the organization’s office lease.

“The decision to close is a difficult one, and one that we regret having to make,” said president and CEO Kim Custer. “The combination of reduced reimbursements for services and increased costs has made it impossible for Planned Parenthood to sustain the services in this location.”

According to the organization’s website, the borough location offered services including abortion referral, birth control, HIV, STD and pregnancy testing, and emergency contraception.

Dolak said the manager at the State College location took another position within the agency. The medical center had one other staff member, who Dolak said chose not to take a position in another office.

Planned Parenthood will work to help patients transition, according to the press release, including offering a pills-by-mail program and referrals to other service providers. The next closest medical center operated by Planned Parenthood of Northeast and Mid-Penn is in Harrisburg.

Area residents can find similar services at the Centre/ Huntingdon Tapestry of Health in Bellefonte and Penn State students can seek assistance from University Health Services on campus.

Jessica VanderKolk can be reached at 235-3910.