Bizzarro announces $50K grant for McDowell Manufacturing
State funds will expand Millcreek Township School District’s program
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro November 8, 2023 | 1:07 PM
ERIE, Nov. 8 – In a move that will allow for the expansion of Millcreek Township School District’s popular, student-run McDowell Manufacturing, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced the state has approved a $50,000 grant for the school district. The grant will allow the program to run a summer program.
“Students learn best by doing, and this grant will keep them learning through a hands-on experience,” Bizzarro said. “Generating interest in the work they’re already doing as well as exploring potential future career options while still in school, this program provides opportunities that will be integral to our students’ growth and development.”
While the summer program will focus on quality control, it will also offer tours of local manufacturing facilities, presentations from industry professionals in the field and valuable introductions to potential future employers.
In April, Bizzarro – who serves as House Majority Policy Committee Chairman – helped spotlight the work being done at McDowell Manufacturing during an April hearing on the positive effects technical education play in improving Pennsylvania’s workforce. Kyle Bucholtz – a teacher at Millcreek Township School District who oversees the student-run enterprise – testified and provided details to the committee on the benefits of the school’s program. Front office opportunities, fabrication and CNC machining are some of the offerings students can learn about in the program.
At McDowell Manufacturing, students run the business side, manufacturing, packaging and quality assurance programs. The student-run operation has created an estimated 15,000 parts for OEM, the plastics industry and the packaging industry.
The grant was acquired through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) Grant Program for McDowell Manufacturing.
Today’s announcement continues Bizzarro’s efforts to allocate state money to properly fund workforce development, schools, nonprofits, first responders, public works, utilities and local businesses in his district and Erie County. So far this year, Bizzarro has helped secure more than $51.8 million in funding for Erie County projects, including $27,933,329.20 in grants and $23,907,584 in low-interest loans for Erie water upgrades that include lead pipe remediation projects.