Alvernia received a $3 million grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to renovate its newly secured downtown Pottsville location at 500 Progress Avenue, the site of the former Giant property.

For the second consecutive year, the university receives $4 million of redevelopment grant resources from the State of Pennsylvania to support its CollegeTowne initiatives.

The award was among a number announced by state Sen. 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 Sen. Argall, U.S. House Rep. Meuser, PA Speaker of the House Cutler, Gov. Wolf and their respective teams for their vision and commitment to provide the spark that will bring Pottsville CollegeTowne to life.”

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 Argall.

“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 University’s new branch campus in Pottsville has the potential to develop the next generation of business leaders and health care professionals to live and work in and around the Pottsville community,” said Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill. “This project is the result of a combined effort between the university, various levels of government and community leaders, which shows what can happen when people work together. I’m excited about this project and the future benefits it can deliver for the people in Pottsville and the surrounding area.”

“This is exciting news for Pottsville as this new CollegeTowne hub will transform a once blighted area in our community into something that will attract the masses and offer a place for the younger population to gather, learn and grow,” said Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill.

“Not to mention this allows the university to reach additional students as well as expand their nursing and health care programs for our students, who are investing their money and time, to have better access, especially during a time where we are seeing a shortage in this particular line of work.”

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.