Saint Francis Announces Blair Commons Project
Loretto, PA (01/28/2021) — Saint Francis University is pleased to announce the award of $258,750 in Special Priority Program (SPP) tax credits through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Neighborhood Assistance Program to be used toward a strategic investment in STEM and healthcare in the Blair county region. The tax credits will allow the University to take part in a targeted revitalization project to be located within the Curry Building (the former Vipond building) on 11th Avenue in downtown Altoona. Once renovated the location will become the company's new headquarters.
The University will be using the funds to renovate the first floor of the building. The new University presence, Blair Commons, will deliver innovative science and technology education to underserved populations, offer free clinical rehabilitative services to low-income cancer patients and promote highly sought after Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and health-science related careers.
"The Blair Commons in downtown Altoona represents an economic investment, but more importantly a commitment by a premier educational institution to the local region in the areas of STEM and health-science related careers. As community partners, we are pleased to contribute to the upward mobility of Blair county," says University President Fr. Malachi VanTassell, T.O.R., Ph.D.
The SPP program supports specific priorities of community economic development: disaster or economic recovery, integrating weatherization and housing rehab, mortgage foreclosure prevention, blight elimination, diversity issues, rural issues, and affordable housing. The project is part of a total $3.39 million renovation of this building.
The Blair Commons project is supported by several partners, including UPMC, viLogics, Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment, viLogics, and Mental Health Resources of Pennsylvania.
Saint Francis University (www.francis.edu) in Loretto, PA is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States. Its mission is to help students grow into compassionate, successful professionals through a culture of generosity, respect, discovery and joy.
Saint Francis University
Marie Young (814) 472-3127 myoung@francis.edu, Erin McCloskey (814) 472-3938 emcccloskey@francis.eduShare this Story
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