West Virginia awards $5 million grant to Catholic college for expansion and think tank – Newz9

The West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA) authorised a $5 million grant to the College of St. Joseph the Workera Catholic-affiliated college based mostly in Steubenville, Ohio. The funds, drawn from the state’s Economic Enhancement Grant Fund (EEGF), can be used to develop the college’s operations into West Virginia. The expansion goals to create a satellite tv for pc campus, vocational coaching packages, and a conservative think tankstories the Herald Star,
Economic Growth and Job Creation
The expansion undertaking guarantees to present vital financial advantages to the Northern Panhandle, significantly to the town of Weirton. According to the college, it’s going to make investments an extra $5 million into the undertaking, bringing the full value to $10 million. This funding will assist develop vocational packages in trades equivalent to carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. Additionally, the college plans to create a building and actual property firm headquartered in Weirton, which might make use of up to 200 apprentices and 50-100 building employees.
Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, praised the initiative, emphasizing its potential to assist younger individuals within the area and present helpful job expertise. He believes the college’s mixture of technical and classical training presents a singular alternative for college students.
Controversy Surrounding the Grant
While the grant was authorised by the WDA, the method has raised some questions. West Virginia regulation requires a letter of advice from one in every of three state cupboard officers earlier than funds are allotted. However, no such letter was supplied for the College of St. Joseph the Worker’s grant software. Despite this, the undertaking moved ahead, with assist from key state officers, together with McGeehan.
The college additionally plans to use a part of the grant—$1 million—to create a conservative think tank targeted on social coverage points, equivalent to abortion and immigration. This facet of the undertaking has sparked debate about the usage of public funds for political advocacy. The Governor’s Office has largely prevented commenting on this concern, sustaining that the first objective of the grant is to assist workforce growth and financial progress.
Looking Ahead
The grant is part of West Virginia’s broader technique to revitalize its workforce and infrastructure. Since the institution of the EEGF in 2022, the state has awarded over $594 million in grants for numerous financial growth tasks. As the College of St. Joseph the Worker strikes ahead with its expansion, its affect on the area’s workforce and political panorama stays to be seen.