Alvernia has received a $3 million grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to renovate its newly secured downtown Pottsville location at 500 Progress Avenue, as the genesis for the Pottsville CollegeTowne strategy.
For the second consecutive year, the university has received $4 million of redevelopment grant resources from the State of Pennsylvania to support its CollegeTowne initiatives. To date, Alvernia has secured a total of $8 million in RACP funding for the CollegeTowne initiatives, including the recent award to begin the second phase of the Reading CollegeTowne renovation. The award was among a number announced Dec. 29 by PA Senator Dave Argall and Gov. Tom Wolf’s office.
“Partnerships have been the cornerstone of growing Alvernia University into a regional comprehensive university and the linchpin to our entry into downtown Pottsville as we begin Pottsville CollegeTowne,” said Alvernia University President John R. Loyack.
“We are grateful for all the community support and enthusiasm for our CollegeTowne initiative and we owe a special thanks to PA Senator Argall, U.S. House Representative Meuser, PA Speaker of the House Cutler, Governor Wolf and their respective teams for their vision and commitment to provide the spark that will bring Pottsville CollegeTowne to life.”
Announced in July 2021, Alvernia serves as a strategic enabler in the Pottsville CollegeTowne model, including engagement, a student-centered entrepreneurial lab, academic programming and buildings that will enhance the student experience for current and incoming students.
Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute will partner Schuylkill Campus students with regional entrepreneurs, small-business owners, faculty researchers and industry leaders to enhance economic development in the region. In the coming months, Alvernia will work to finalize a purchase and sale agreement of the former Giant grocery store location.
“This new branch campus of Alvernia University is the keystone of dedicated community efforts to revitalize downtown Pottsville,” said Senator David Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill). “Thousands of communities across Pennsylvania applied for this highly competitive funding. Receiving this investment from the state would not have been possible without bipartisan cooperation between city, county, state, and federal officials and community leaders. Thank you to Alvernia University for helping to breathe new life into Schuylkill County.”
Alvernia is uniquely positioned and prepared to lead the Pottsville CollegeTowne initiative and plans to enlist other organizations and businesses such as the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Pottsville Development Court to partner together to breathe new life and vitality into downtown Pottsville.
Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute will partner Schuylkill Campus students with regional entrepreneurs, small-business owners, faculty researchers and industry leaders to enhance economic development in the region.
RACP is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
