Burns announces $1.9 million grant to support new aviation degree program at Saint Francis University
Rep. Frank Burns February 23, 2017 | 10:57 AM
EBENSBURG, Feb. 23 – Slightly more than four months after he hosted a public hearing in Ebensburg on innovative job creation, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is announcing a $1.9 million state grant to develop a Business Aviation Management Degree Program at Saint Francis University.
Burns said the funding, awarded to the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, will upgrade and enhance an existing airport facility; purchase a flight simulator for the degree; assist with the first five students' tuition and room and board; and market the new program.
Burns, who brought the House Democratic Policy Committee to the Ebensburg Borough Municipal Building in October, said the testimony on employer needs and employee training using an innovative approach came to fruition with this grant.
“Our testifiers – including Barry Surma, director of the St. Francis University Small Business Development Center, and RaNell Fenchak, director of the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport – made a convincing case for thinking outside the box and being attuned to employer needs with job training efforts,” Burns said. “This grant is one manifestation of a new way of thinking when it comes to economic development in Cambria County.”
Other testifiers at the October hearing were Augie Didiano, president, Johnstown Building and Construction Trades Council; Don Arena, business agent, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 354; and Debi Balog, workforce development director, Johnstown Area Regional Industries.
Burns said he looks forward to continuing promoting meaningful job-creation efforts in the72nd Legislative District and in Cambria County.
The grant is funded by the state Multimodal Fund created by Act 89, Pennsylvania’s far-reaching transportation funding plan. The fund established dedicated investments in transit, aviation, rail freight and pedestrian and bicycle modes, in addition to increasing highway and bridge funding.