For Immediate Release
August 17, 2007

CONTACT:
Colleen Greer
Phone: 717-787-6801
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Weekly Column: HACC Addition Continues Urban Renaissance in Harrisburg's Midtown

Since it was founded in 1964, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) has taken its role in training and workforce development seriously. The mid-state community college has also been successful in working with community partners to provide even more options for workforce training and education. Their latest addition proves that success is continuing.

Last week, I had the privilege of touring the new HACC campus facility in Midtown Harrisburg. HACC President Edna Baehre guided the tour for Representative Ron Buxton, Senator Pat Vance, and me. The Midtown campus is the former Evangelical Press Building located at North Third and Reily Streets, which has been extensively renovated to become the urban center. It's scheduled to open its doors to students for the fall session beginning August 20th.

HACC will now occupy most of the press building, which was constructed in 1917 and most recently housed state offices and testing laboratories, and will incorporate its programs that complement their existing Community Center for Technology and the Arts (CCTA). This includes HACC's expanding technology and trade programs including carpentry, home building and remodeling and industrial maintenance. This renovated space will provide students with the best training and hands-on experience.

An additional partnership is incorporating the Harrisburg School District's Career and Technology Academy. Qualified high school juniors and seniors from the Academy will be permitted to take courses at the Midtown site which will provide college credit as they complete their high school diploma – a great incentive for students. The inclusion of the Academy will provide a means for the two institutions to share resources and enhance the overall quality of programs to benefit each.

HACC's expansion is a major investment to Midtown and the revitalization and growth of the city. It's the result of an umbrella of partnerships involving the public and private sector including the Commonwealth, HACC, the City of Harrisburg, and developers of Powers and Associates.

I am pleased that the State Legislature was critical in helping the city secure the necessary urban redevelopment funds which were key to this project's financing. Following our recent tour, Representative Buxton and I presented a $1.5 million check to President Baehre and Powers and Associates to assist in the $17 million project.

Aside from the physical improvements of this particular area, HACC's Midtown campus will bring new programs for students to gain valuable job skills which are desperately needed within our region. Many of the new programs that will be offered at this campus are high priority initiatives for this region and state and will certainly help to revitalize the region, promote economic development, and create family-sustaining jobs.

HACC has established itself as a key institution of learning and serves as a prominent, contributing member of the South Central Pennsylvania community. I now look forward to this urban renaissance significantly expanding the educational opportunities for all Central Pennsylvanians.