MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES $250,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING
Rep. Gerlach: “Project to expand the college’s West Campus will be a perfect compliment to an ever-changing and evolving center of town.”
Pottstown,
Dec 17, 2004 -
Joined by state and local officials, Rep. Jim Gerlach announced today that Montgomery County Community College had been allocated $250,000 in the FY ’05 Omnibus appropriations bill to assist in the college’s planned expansion project.
“This is a great occasion for Montgomery County Community College and the borough of Pottstown, as a great educational institution expands and transforms its identity in a town in the process of doing the same,” Rep. Gerlach said. “An expansion of an already popular college will ensure that students of all ages from throughout the area will have access to a first-rate college education in a first-rate facility.”
In September, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) announced plans to add 50,000 square feet of space to the West Campus’ existing space by renovating the former Vaughn Knitting Mill facility at 16 High Street in Pottstown. The five-year-project will enable the College to extend its workforce development programming, expand associate degree programs and increase opportunities for transfer via the development of a University Center. A pedestrian walkway funded with state grants will eventually connect the college’s current building – located across the railroad tracks on College Drive – to the newest facility on High Street.
“Our goal is to create a campus presence for the College that links the West Campus to the river to the main street of Pottstown,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president of MCCC. “Community colleges are so important to the workforce development, continuing education and lifelong learning that we want to be the catalyst for revitalization and expansion in Pottstown.
“Through our vision to create a university center, we want to make our West Campus the hub for transforming Pottstown into a commuter college town,” Stout continued. “The vibrancy of having students walking up and down High Street is all part of a major economic development initiative. This initial expansion is the first step in what we hope will be several steps in fulfilling this vision.”
The college needed to expand its facilities in order to keep up with an unprecedented demand for its services. Officials anticipate opening the new facility for classes by Fall 2005.
