MERCER COUNTY Hermitage to request funds for new tech center

The center would be geared to helping high-tech businesses locating in the park.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The city is looking for $800,000 in federal funds to build a technology training center in the LindenPointe Innovative Business Campus on Pa. Route 18.
The city is a partner in the planned technical park development with KAKE Development Inc. of Hermitage and owns half of the park's 117 acres.
The park is designed to attract high-tech businesses, and the city is looking for a way to help do that, perhaps by building a technology innovation and development center on site.
City Manager Gary Hinkson said the city plans to ask the federal Economic Development Administration for $600,000 and the Appalachian Regional Commission for $200,000 more to build the training center.
There may be some funds required from the city but that hasn't been determined yet, he said.
City commissioners are expected to approve what Hinkson called a "pre-application request" to the federal agencies at a special meeting Thursday, asking that the funds be earmarked for the LindenPointe project.
Plans aren't final yet, Hinkson said, noting the city could build it and let someone else operate it or could look for a way to run the center itself.
Seeking partners
Hermitage is looking for partners in the project, he said, suggesting that colleges might want to get involved in providing training.
The city received a $25,000 state Department of Community and Economic Development grant several months ago to finance a feasibility study on the training center idea.
Hinkson said the city is working with the Sharon architectural firm of HHSDR on the design for the center and is meeting with technical and business people as well as representatives of education to determine what needs, in terms of training and equipment, should be met for companies coming into the park.
Hinkson said the city is also looking for a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to complete a series of walking trails through LindenPointe.
The city will have to come up with $100,000 to match that grant.
Walking trails through the planned technical park has been part of the concept since the park idea was first developed.
City commissioners are also expected to approve that application at Thursday's meeting.