BC3 to get federal funds
While local legislators oppose one another on the $1.7 trillion 2023 federal omnibus spending bill, one agency in the county is slated to receive funding now that President Joe Biden has signed it into law.
Butler County Community College will receive $500,000 to support the Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health, which will be relocated to the new Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building under construction.
The funds would be used to purchase equipment and technology that would furnish classrooms, laboratories and simulation labs, according to the bill.
“(The $500,000 allocation) continues to exemplify our bringing together public and private partners to make this building a reality,” said Dr. Nick Neupauer, president of BC3.
Neupauer also said the equipment is very important to the health program.
“We have the best faculty in teaching our students,” he said. “To utilize simulation technology to assist our faculty in delivering the content, and then giving our students the opportunity for real-world applications, is just so crucial, particularly in a field such as nursing and allied health.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said the funding will help provide students with “a high-quality, affordable nursing education that will help address critical nursing shortages and provide students with access to in-demand, well-paying jobs in Western Pennsylvania.”
The spending bill passed the Senate on Dec. 22 by a vote of 68-29. The House approved the bill the next day by a vote of 225-201.
President Joe Biden signed the bill into law Thursday.
Casey, who voted in favor of the bill, said more than $111.5 million in funds will support 92 projects across Pennsylvania.
“In this bill, I fought for programs that make it easier to live, work and raise a family in Pennsylvania,” Casey said. “We are working toward an America where our children are safer and provided more opportunities in life, where seniors and people with disabilities are taken care of, and where we can have faith in our democracy and our elections.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, voted against the bill, citing concerns about the overall cost to taxpayers, the lack of border security funding, and the limited time to review and hold hearings on the 4,155-page bill.
“Although there are some good parts to the bill, overall, I cannot support spending taxpayer money without thoroughly reviewing everything that’s inside,” Kelly said.
He said voting against the bill is not irresponsible.
“The way our government rushes to spend taxpayer money without critical oversight is irresponsible,” Kelly said. “The American people deserve better.”
Also included in the spending bill is $1.5 million for nearby Freeport Borough in Armstrong County to upgrade the municipality’s wastewater treatment facility, which will reduce sewage contamination in Buffalo Creek.
