The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has been awarded $2 million in state funding for renovation of the Hanley Library, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) announced today.

“We are fortunate to have such a great educational institution right here in McKean County to serve not only our students but also students from around the country and around the world,” Causer said. “I am pleased to support the university in its efforts to continue to improve and expand to meet the needs of our students, including through the renovation of the library.”

“Receiving this highly competitive funding demonstrates that the impact and value of Hanley Library extends far beyond the physical boundaries of the Pitt-Bradford academic community,” said Dush. “As expertly stated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, ‘The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds.’”

The funding will be used for demolition and construction, including replacing and adding doors, renovating the foyer, creating a new stairwell, and installing sidewalks to enable easy passage from the newly constructed engineering building to the library and to create another public entrance for patrons. Construction will include foundation and general construction, HVAC modifications to accommodate the new design, electrical changes, and other updates including energy-efficient lighting and necessary plumbing retrofits.

Funding for the project was authorized by lawmakers in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act and awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).

RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. These projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are funded by the state and cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs