Construction projects funded at BC3 through loans
BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College is applying for a little over $4 million in state loans to pay for additional preparation costs for two buildings that are under construction.
The BC3 Council of Trustees on Wednesday voted to apply for two loans through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one for $3.5 million to fund construction of the Victor K. Philips Nursing and Allied Health Building on the main campus, and the other for $800,000 to purchase furniture, technology and instructional equipment for the Armstrong County facility.
The two building projects under simultaneous construction by BC3 have been hit by increases in material and supply costs, according to BC3 president Nick Neupauer. Scott McDowell, trustees treasurer, told council Wednesday that possible changes in the state budget’s capital line item may absorb some of the $3.5 million loan.
“We believe there is an opportunity to get state assistance for the additional money that has to be spent on the Victor K. Phillips building,” McDowell said. “Eventually the goal is to get the state to pay half.”
The $14 million Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building is part of a $21 million south campus construction project that began in June 2020.
The 15,000-square-foot facility in Ford City, which will have six classrooms, office space, a student lounge, study rooms, a multipurpose room and a computer lab, has an estimated cost of $6 million.
Neupauer said donations are still flowing into the foundation aimed at funding the nursing and allied health building. Money that comes in supporting the building will help repay the loans.
“For every dollar that we continue to raise, that will be less that we would need to take a loan out on,” Neupauer said. “I think what’s very important is that we would be able to prepay this with no penalty. So there seems to be a lot of things moving here, but from my perspective, it’s all very good news.”
Megan Coval, executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations, also said new donations come in for the facility every day. Throughout March and up to April 7, BC3 saw $220,000 in donations toward the building, according to Coval.
Many donations have been made in memory of Janice Phillips Larrick, who died March 20.
“It’s a very touching and nice thing to see,” she said.
The college is also using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money to fund maintenance on the main campus’ HVAC system, and to upgrade LED lighting.
BC3 received a total of about $13,041,000 from the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan.
Brian Opitz, director of operations, said the system needs to be replaced, and a renewed HVAC system is to be installed before the beginning of the fall semester.
Neupauer said the college has already spent $7.8 million on lost revenue, COVID supplies and student aid. About $2,492,391 was allocated to students.
Coval said the college recently began a partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which will help stock the food pantry on the main campus.
The partnership, Coval said, will allow BC3 to get food wholesale from the food banks, distribute free produce for students, offer new nutritional classes for students and faculty members and it opens new grant opportunities for the college to help feed students.
Coval said the food pantry benefits many students on campus, and is an important community-supporting initiative.
“Just last week we gave away 35 spring meal boxes to students,” Coval said. “In real time, I think it is quickly becoming a model program for where we want to help as a community college when you think of all the people it touches and impacts.”
Neupauer also told the council that BC3 will once again host its commencement ceremonies outdoors at the end of this semester. There will be five different ceremonies throughout the day May 18, beginning at 1 p.m.
“This is the third year for something outdoors; the first was a drive-through, last year was closer to this model and folks really liked it,” Neupauer said. “We are going to go forward with this for another year, so as always we will take a look at it, evaluate it. I don’t know if this is here to stay or not, but it has been very well-received.”
In 2021, BC3 had 45-minute walk-through commencements that hosted small groups of students at a time. Neupauer said commencement this year will be similar to that of years prior to 2020, but hosted outdoors with the smaller groups.
There will also be a pinning ceremony for graduating nurses at 4:30 p.m. May 12 at the theater on BC3’s main campus.
