SMETHPORT –– Plans for a $24.375 million engineering and technology facility at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford took a step forward on Wednesday after the McKean County Industrial Development Authority approved the submission of a state grant.

During an IDA meeting, members approved a resolution that gives permission for a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program application to be submitted to the Pennsylvania Office of Budget. In this case, campus leaders are after $9.6 million that would go toward the construction of a 52,000-square-foot building near Hanley Library, across from the most recently constructed Lester and Barbara Rice House residence hall.

The remainder of the amount would be funded by the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus in Oakland, at least that is the hope of Pitt-Bradford President Dr. Livingston Alexander.

The new academic hall would include mechanical engineering and technology, energy engineering and technology, as well as computer information systems and technology, explained Alexander at the meeting. AutoCAD training would also be included. Students would also be able to study physical and occupational therapy in that facility.

But the biggest need for the campus is in engineering, Pitt-Bradford officials indicated. Currently, students take part in Pitt-Bradford’s engineering program for two years, then have to transfer to the main University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland.

“But it turns out it (main campus’ engineering program) can’t serve this region,” Alexander said. “And we’ve had calls from many manufacturing companies in our region for a number of years to develop the programs they need.”

These companies have a tough time employing technically trained workers and other professionals, he said.

And now the the main campus has given Pitt-Bradford the green light, allowing more academic programming to be offered –- hence, engineering.

If Pitt-Bradford implements the new engineering programming, it would be the only such academic offering available between Erie and PennTech in Williamsport, Alexander said. In fact, Pitt-Bradford officials are projecting that 200 full-time students would be part of the new programming areas in that facility.

The facility would allow students to remain in the area after graduating from Pitt-Bradford and work for area companies. Simply put,  jobs would be retained and developed. “The impact is going to be monumental,” Alexander said.

More jobs would also be coming to the campus, thanks to the project. The new facility would come with at least 15 full-time jobs, of which would include six faculty members.

The current engineering program is housed in Fisher Hall on campus, and that space would be freed up to be used by existing programs, Alexander said.

After the pre-application for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is submitted, a full application can be submitted within six to eight weeks. Anita Dolan of the Bradford Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) has been tasked with submitting the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program application and serving as liaison with Pitt-Bradford staff and the IDA board.

The design phase for the engineering and technology building project is expected to begin in early 2017, according to Rick Esch, vice president of business affairs at Pitt-Bradford.

“It is really what we need around here, to be quite honest. Exactly what we need. And I see kids going to Erie and east, and we’re right in the middle,” said IDA member Clark Johnson. “Keep ‘em here, we need ‘em.”

After the meeting, McKean County Economic Development Director Sherri Geary also expressed excitement with the project.

“Higher education and in particular the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is a key economic driver in the region, the county and the greater Bradford area,” she said. “Our businesses and industry relies on the state’s education institutions to produce skilled employees and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. UPB is a treasure in our community. It has brought prosperity to our region by producing great talent and attracting new businesses needed to build a strong economy and a better quality of life for all our residents.”

This isn’t the first time Pitt-Bradford has sought help from the McKean County IDA. The campus leaders came to the board two years ago for help in securing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the construction of the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center in Bradford. That facility, being built on the first floor of the Seneca Building on Marilyn Horne Way, is slated to open May 6.