It wasn’t brought by Santa Claus, but the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the YWCA of Bradford got some very good news on Wednesday.
Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, announced that Pitt-Bradford and the YWCA are both set to receive state redevelopment funding. Pitt-Bradford will receive $3 million to help bring new engineering and information technology training opportunities to the region, while the YWCA of Bradford will receive $1 million toward construction of its new facility.
“The engineering and IT training initiative will be a game-changer for our local economy, enabling employers to grow and expand here and giving more young people the opportunity to pursue a good-paying career while staying close to home,” Causer said. “It is such an important investment in our community’s future and our children’s future.
“Equally important is the investment in a new YWCA facility, helping the agency continue its work in aiding victims, providing mental health services, and supporting people in need through its food pantry and shelter,” Causer said. “It also helps the community by contributing to the revitalization of the Second Ward area of the city.”
The Pitt project involves building a new academic building, adjacent to the Hanley Library, to house engineering labs, engineering shops, computer labs (including a Virtual Reality lab and a Systems, Networks and Projects lab), the campus IT hub, classrooms and related offices. The design phase is underway with construction expected to begin this coming spring. The funding announced Wednesday supplements prior state investments of $3 million. The bulk of the $22 million project cost will be funded by the university and private donors.
Officials expect the project to create construction jobs as well as 10 new permanent faculty and staff jobs associated with teaching and supporting the academic programs. Additionally, 24 teaching jobs will be retained through the project. The program expansion is expected to generate an average of 50 students each year and support 200 students after the fourth year. According to the state Department of Labor and Industry, students studying these majors will graduate into rapidly growing career fields.
The YWCA project involves construction of a 14,000-square-foot campus facility, which will house offices, victim resources, mental health/counseling facilities, a food pantry and shelter housing. The 6,000-square-foot shelter building will be two stories with sleeping areas for up to 12 people, as well as common areas, child areas, and living, kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities on both floors. The YWCA project is estimated to cost $4.33 million, with funding coming from its ongoing Capital Campaign and a USDA loan.
Funding for both projects comes from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
