Officials talk Academy expansion
Total cost is more than $9 million
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LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County School Board of Directors held their voting meeting Thursday evening when they approved the Academy expansion project at a total cost of $9,003,479.
This project consists of the planning, design, purchase, acquisition and construction of a new 25,000 square foot facility to support the Academy's Diesel Training Program and a 5,000 square foot facility to support the Academy's HVAC Training Program.
The Mifflin County School District as well as the Academy contributed $1,859,907 to this project.
The district also received $7,143,572 in grants for this project.
This grant money will reimburse the more than $7 million cost that the organizers of the expansion project must borrow to "float" the cost until initial phases of construction are completed.
"The planning process for the new Academy building started in 2018. Initially it was designed to house diesel technology and heavy equipment. The Academy eliminated the heavy equipment option and replaced it with HVAC due to excessive building cost and operational cost of the heavy equipment program. Hoping to offset operational costs, the new building will initially enroll adult students in both programs and allow for high school students to enroll if seats are available," said Barry King, administrative director for the Academy of Science and Technology.
The Academy expects to break ground in early April and finish the project within 12 to 18 months to begin classes in September 2025.