Thank you to reporter Hynn Soo Lee for visiting DSI in December to see The Center For Education, Business & Arts progress. This is an article that appeared in the December 13, 2024 issue of The Republican Herald.
The photos above show The Center of Education, Business & Arts construction progress as of December 29. 2024
Shenandoah: Construction of the long-awaited Center for Education, Business and Arts is proceeding smoothly, and officials expect the building to open in October 2025. Since May, crews from York-based Wagman Construction Inc. have worked on-site nearly every day on the 100 block of North Main Street, building what is now a two-story steel structure with a partial roof.
Downtown Shenandoah Inc.’s $7.8 million project — which is being supported by local fundraising efforts, as well as state and federal government — is a future business incubator and innovation hub designed to spur economic growth across Schuylkill County.
With the completion of the project’s first phase in October, the building will house a commercial kitchen, a Penn State classroom, the new DSI office, and a facility for the Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) workforce development program, according to DSI Executive Director Susan Williams.
“This is certainly a symbol of how communities come together to make something great happen for the future,” Williams said.
Williams said that Wagman and its subcontractors are “wonderful to work with” and have constructed the site safely and efficiently. In the past few weeks, Williams said, crews have begun to put up brick walls around the steel framework and are now constructing the roof. The building is currently fenced off from the public, with metal scaffolding covering a large part of the facade.
Joe Matthews, project superintendent, said he is pleased with the community’s support.
“It’s very pleasing how we work directly with the community, with the local vendors, as well as with the borough manager (Tony Sajone) and DSI,” Matthews said. “It’s been a really pleasant experience.”
Williams said the DSI board of directors has been actively collaborating with Matthews and ensuring the project goes smoothly.
CEBA is directly across the street from the DSI office, which gives Williams and the board a prime view of the ongoing construction every day. Williams said DSI is working with PPL Electric and Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. to get utilities in place. After several years of planning and fundraising, officials finally broke ground on the CEBA in April. On the fence in front of the building, a sign has been put up crediting the project’s financial partners. These include a state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant; Keystone Communities grants; a Local Share Account grant; a USDA Rural Business Development Grant; the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Small Business Administration.
The first phase of the project has been fully funded, at $7.8 million, with about $3.3 million of that amount — or 40% — coming through donations from local trusts, businesses and community members, according to DSI. DSI is still pursuing funding opportunities for the second phase, which would be about $3 million.
The organization will continue accepting monetary donations for the CEBA. Donations can be made directly to the DSI office at 116 N. Main St. or by visiting downtownshenandoah.com or discoverceba.com.
