PLEASANT GAP – Gov. Corbett visited the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) yesterday to announce the construction of a new, state-of-the art facility for training workers in the natural gas and transportation industries. This project is made possible through the recent release of a $2 million Economic Growth Initiative grant.
The proposed 36,750 square foot training facility will house the Diesel Equipment Maintenance, Heavy Equipment Operations, Commercial Driver’s License and Passenger Bus Operator programs. In addition, the new facility will house the Centre Country Public Safety training center.
“With this new facility, CPI is taking a major step forward in training workers to meet the high demand of companies in the natural gas and transportation industries,” Corbett said. “CPI is the only facility in the Commonwealth to offer both Heavy Equipment Operations and Diesel Equipment Maintenance and Repair postsecondary training, and is poised to lead the commonwealth in this emerging field.”
This is the second grant that CPI has received from the commonwealth. In 2010, it received a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Program (RACP) grant for infrastructure improvements associated with the construction of this new training facility.
Construction on the new building will begin in July and is expected to last about a year.
The Economic Growth Initiative is an administration-sponsored economic development program that provides local communities with grants for the acquisition and construction of economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects.
Last month, the Corbett Administration announced the award of 54 new Economic Growth Initiative grants. These projects, totaling nearly $125 million, will create or retain more than 56,000 jobs in 28 counties across the state.
Last year, Corbett reformed the state’s method of funding redevelopment assistance capital projects with a significant redesign, making the process more transparent and objective. Projects are now selected based upon their job-creation potential, their economic impact, as well as their viability and construction readiness.
For a full listing of approved projects, submission criteria, and more information, visit the Budget Office online at www.budget.state.pa.us and select the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program link.
