Westmoreland County Community College has been a growing concern -- in a good way -- virtually since it opened four decades ago. Now, it has a chance to grow again, in the best possible way, through development of a technical training center at the former Sony site near New Stanton.
The school is a perfect example of industrial reuse. It is based in a former Westinghouse facility near Youngwood and, over the years, has provided reasonably priced educational opportunities to thousands who might have otherwise never found their way into college.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary and with nearly 6,500 students enrolled, the Hempfield Township-based institution is once more looking toward expansion. The question is: Where?
College President Daniel Obara said officials have for several years been considering a new technical training center. The new facility would free up room in the main-campus-based Business and Industry Center, which now houses technical training programs.
WCCC officials must decide between a new facility on the main campus and the Sony plan. Obara said both plans would work and the cost for each would be similar.
That said, the $7 million would be better directed to the Sony site, which is already under roof, and more important, empty and available. Two regional development agencies have been working to re-establish the sprawling, 2.8 million-square-foot plant as a multi-tenant facility. If they are successful, WCCC could provide an on-site, specialized training "factory" to supply job-ready employees for tenants.
With a WCCC center in place at the Sony site, the college might benefit from tenants willing to accept interns or even cover educational costs for prospective employees.
WCCC's roots are in industrial reuse, so its leaders know it is a concept that works. And based on that fact, the Sony site is a perfect perfect match for the planned technical training center.
