New Kensington hopes WCCC education center boosts local businesses
Sandy Battaglia didn't open her cafe in New Kensington to fail.
She has faith in the future of the city, and dedication ceremonies Thursday at the new and nearby Westmoreland County Community College New Kensington Education Center only add to her optimism.
The hundreds of students and staff who could make their way to her 9th Street Cafe for homemade soups, burgers, coffee, drinks and free wireless Internet don't hurt, either.
"I am hoping (the college) creates more business in the area. I'm hoping it draws in more business. The road to recovery is more business," said Battaglia, of Upper Burrell. Battaglia opened her cafe Sept. 2, while the 26,000-square-foot, two-story community college branch campus was under construction.
The $6 million center, at 1150 Fifth Ave., opened Jan. 8 for the spring semester. It replaced the Alle-Kiski Education Center at the former Terrace Elementary School in the Aluminum City Terrace neighborhood.
Construction at the 1.4 acre site began in fall 2007. It features six general classrooms, two computer classrooms, a computer lab, science lab, distance learning classroom, administrative offices and a student lounge.
"We have so much more to offer our students here," said center coordinator Brian Hays. "It's everything we could've ever hoped for."
The center also houses the relocated Alle-Kiski CareerLink, which provides employment and job training services.
"A lot of people don't know we're here or what we're here for," said Rick O'Domes, administrator of the CareerLink center. "We're a one-stop shop for just about anyone looking for a job or to fill a position."
The New Kensington Education Center opened with 271 students enrolled, the greatest number of registrations at any of the college's centers in the Alle-Kiski Valley region in any one semester.
Kim McAfoose, executive director of the New Kensington Redevelopment Authority, said there has been an increase in activity downtown, and anticipates more businesses coming to serve the wants and needs of the center's students and staff.
"It's not going to happen overnight," she said. "Once the economy shapes up, we'll have a better chance at making that a reality."
The economic impact of the center will grow over time, said Councilman John Regoli Jr. While not enough alone to drive a citywide rebirth, it is enough to draw interest.
"I know there have been buildings in downtown New Kensington bought and refurbished since the announcement of the community college going up," he said. "It's been slowed by the economy. Let's face it, I don't think people are out there right now investing in anything. In the last six months to a year, it's become a bit difficult for people to get funding, and not just in New Kensington."
The bigger impact will be the increased opportunity for people to get a college education while still working full time, Regoli said.
"I like the fact it's right across the street from subsidized housing," Regoli said. "People growing up there who never thought they'd have a chance at a college education have a building to look at every morning when they wake up as a reminder they can get a college education."
Daniel Obara, interim president of Westmoreland County Community College, said the college hopes to see the development of the types of businesses that would serve the student population.
"I think it's been a great opportunity for cooperation between us as an education facility, the local government, the county government and the community to bring this about," he said. "We're real excited about the growth that it represents for the college. I think it has potential for some growth and revitalization for the New Kensington area."
Hays said they have distributed fliers for Battaglia's cafe to students.
"The purpose of a community college is not just to provide an education to the community, but become a part of the community itself," Hays said.
"I would hope we are the start of something big, large and ongoing," he said. "This is a terrific area. There's a sense of community down here. Everyone knows one another. This is a terrific area for anyone wanting to come in as a business or organization and set up.
"It would be nice to see this whole city come back to what it was."
Jobless can learn for free
Pennsylvania CareerLink offices have received about 225 inquiries in the past three weeks about a new tuition-free program at Westmoreland County Community College designed to retrain laid-off workers, college officials said yesterday.
The "Just in Time Workforce Development Program" begins this spring to aid workers who have lost their jobs because of plant closings or layoffs since Jan. 1, 2008. It focuses on people who have been unable to find another job or now are working at a substantially reduced wage.
Officials from the college, CareerLink and the Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board announced the program on Feb. 2.
The college has said it can accept between 15 and 20 students for each of the 10 programs. Classes run from May to August and will meet two, three or five days a week, depending on the subject.
Anna Marie Palatella, public relations director for the college, said the students in the program will have one-on-one attention to guide them.
"We understand it might be intimidating for those who have been out of college for a while," she said.
The classes will be closed to traditional students at WCCC.
The college is offering credit certificate programs at its Hempfield campus for computer accounting and tax specialist; small-business management; early childhood education; medical administration; office administration; computer numerical control technology; machine technology; and welding engineering technology.
In addition, the medical administration certificate program will be offered at the college's newly relocated branch campus in New Kensington and the office administration program will be open at the Fayette County Center in Uniontown.
Noncredit work force development programs are offered for emergency medical technician-basic and nurse aide.
— By Chris Foreman, Tribune-Review News Service
Additional Information:
Your name here
Westmoreland County Community College is offering naming opportunities to individuals, businesses and organizations at its New Kensington Education Center.
Facilities available for naming and the minimum gift required:
⢠Classroom, six: $62,500
⢠Videoconferencing classroom: $65,000
⢠Computer lab, two: $115,500
⢠Large classroom: $181,500
⢠Science lab: $188,500
