I will soon be introducing legislation that will convey property currently held by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (“PASSHE”) to the Oil Region Alliance of Business of Business, Industry and Tourism (“ORA”).

The property to be transferred consists of five buildings on 62 acres of land in Oil City, Venango County. The buildings were mostly built in 1962 and 1976 and vary in condition.  The property is currently being used by PASSHE’s Pennsylvania Western University (“PennWest”) to offer the two-year Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program in which only 75 students are enrolled – nearly half of whom will finish their degree and graduate in May 2024. The program is being moved to the university’s Clarion location which is where the remaining students will complete their studies   This transfer is part of the effort by PennWest to achieve greater operational efficiency and provide students with the best experience. The university expects to realize approximately $1.3 million in annual savings, as well as forego more than $6 million in necessary maintenance. PASSHE’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the university’s property disposition request on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

This conveyance, supported by the Department of General Services, would not only contribute to the continued success of PennWest on its path to financial stability, but it would position the ORA, which manages the Oil Region National Heritage Area, to see the site continue as an essential regional resource for the advancement of the Oil Region.

Please join me in sponsoring this important conveyance.