The University of Scranton Awarded $2 Million Economic Growth Initiative Grant
The University of Scranton was awarded a $2 million Economic Growth Initiative grant for its new eight-story center for rehabilitation education, which will house the Jesuit school’s occupational therapy, physical therapy and exercise science academic departments when completed in August 2015.
The University of Scranton announced today that it was awarded a $2 million Economic Growth Initiative grant for its new center for rehabilitation education, a project that is estimated to have an $87.7 million regional economic impact.
The 116,000-square-foot, eight-story center will house the school’s occupational therapy, physical therapy and exercise science academic departments when completed in August 2015.
Economic Growth Initiative grants are administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
“We are so pleased to have the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for this important project. The center for rehabilitation education will enhance our academic offerings in key health sector fields, while making a significant economic and community impact,” said University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. “We are grateful to Governor Tom Corbett for recognizing the impact that this project will have for the University and Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
The new center for rehabilitation education is necessary for the University as it seeks to provide state-of-the-art facilities that can help maintain and grow the key academic departments of occupational and physical therapy and exercise science. It will provide laboratory, classroom, research, office, clinical and meeting space and will be connected to McGurrin Hall, which houses the other departments in the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies, which includes nursing, education, human resources, counseling and health administration, as well as the Leahy Community Health and Family Center.
The center’s academic programs will add well-trained professionals to Northeastern Pennsylvania in important rehabilitation fields. The fields of occupational therapy and physical therapy are among the nation’s fastest growing occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. News & World Report listed physical therapists and occupational therapists among the “100 Best Jobs of 2013.”
The new center will provide substantial economic and community benefits to the city of Scranton and Lackawanna County. The center will facilitate community service activities by allowing for expansion of the pro-bono physical and occupational therapy provided by faculty and the free developmental screenings for children conducted by occupational therapy students.
According to a report completed by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance in October 2014, the regional impact of the construction and engineering expenses related to the center for rehabilitation education and its operation includes: $87.7 million in economic activity; $6.6 million in federal taxes; an estimated $3.1 million in state and local taxes; and $36.1 million in labor income, including the creation of 322 jobs in 2013, 657 jobs in 2014 and 504 jobs in 2015.
Editor’s Note: For statutory and legislative purposes, the Economic Growth Initiative program will continue to be known as the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
