 |
| |
| |
Medina County residents are much closer to having their own higher education institution — thanks to recent funding allocations from the state and federal governments.
The Medina County University Center, created through a partnership with the Medina County University Center Task Force and The University of Akron, will provide Medina residents and others, as well as businesses and employees, with access to higher education and opportunities for training, with an emphasis on workforce development.
On the federal level, the House Omnibus Appropriations bill has earmarked $1.5 million for the center through the support of U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, Rep. Sherrod Brown, Rep. Steven C. LaTourette and former Rep. Tom Sawyer.
Those funds will be combined with a $750,000 appropriation by the state of Ohio.
State Rep. Charles Calvert, who was a driving force in the creation of the task force, is excited by the state’s recognition of the project.
“Support for this center during a time of tight budgets and limited funds speaks to the state’s recognition of the value of this venture,” Calvert says. “This center will be a model for workforce development and private and public partnerships for the state of Ohio.”
The project's task force is chaired by George Paidas, an executive with FirstMerit Bank, and includes more than 35 business and education leaders. Paidas says the state appropriation will be used for site renderings, detailed architectural designs and implementation.
When completed, the 100,000 square foot facility, estimated to cost a total of $20 million, will include state-of-the-art classrooms, computer labs, training facilities and distance learning labs and will be designed to be completed in phases.
“Our goal is to open the doors for fall 2005,” says Paidas. “This will depend on securing the rest of the needed capital from both government and private sectors.”
A tentative site for the center has been selected in Lafayette Township on 50 acres of land near Interstate 71 and U.S. 224 provided by Medina County Commissioners. University officials will finalize the site once township officials and the task force agree upon zoning.
State Sen. Ron Amstutz, who joined with Calvert as a proponent of the project, agrees that state support for the center is key to the future success of the region.
“Medina County is home to a growing part of our region’s economy,” says Amstutz. “The Medina County University Center is vital because Ohio’s ability to compete is tied to providing our present and future workforce with easy access to high quality postsecondary knowledge.”
Terry Hickey, UA’s senior vice president and provost, who has led the project for the University, notes that, “The Medina County University Center will provide a flexible, needs-based curriculum that looks to the future and addresses the needs of both Medina County residents and businesses. This effort demonstrates how universities and communities can work together to meet the growing educational needs of their citizens and businesses in very cost-effective ways.”
Jim Doutt, executive director of the Medina County Economic Development Corporation, says the University Center continues to be the most significant project for the county.
“The center will keep our existing residents and businesses competitive in the regional, national and global markets. Development of coursework will be based on regular discussions with regional business and industry advisory groups. Standard college courses will be available upon demand, giving area residents convenient access to higher education to further their academic and career goals.”
| |
|
|
|
|
