ALIC @ Bessemer secures $1 million state grant for infrastructure improvements

Elevating Classrooms and Research Spaces

Significant renovations that will elevate the classroom, research and development spaces, and IT infrastructure of Allegheny College's branch campus, ALIC @ Bessemer, are on the way thanks to a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant.

RACP is administered by Pennsylvania's Office of the Budget, and funds are used for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. Michele Brooks, senator for the 50th District - which includes Crawford County - first announced the award on Thursday, July 16.

Byron Rich, executive director of the Allegheny Lab for Innovation & Creativity (ALIC), said the additions coming to the Bessemer Street campus will better the educational experience of both students and industry partners.

ALIC @ Bessemer strengthens northwestern Pennsylvania's advanced manufacturing ecosystem by creating meaningful educational and economic opportunities for students, employers, and the broader community," Rich said. "The RACP investment will significantly advance ALIC @ Bessemer's mission to catalyze education, applied research, and, ultimately, regional economic development.

Core to the list of improvements is renovations to five classrooms and the development of four laboratories, which will in turn support industry-sponsored research and development projects. Future projects in these spaces will be conducted jointly by degree-seeking Allegheny College students, faculty, and regional manufacturing partners, expanding opportunities for experiential learning while helping companies solve technical challenges.

The funds will also modernize ALIC @ Bessemer's information technology infrastructure, creating a reliable, high-performance environment that supports advanced manufacturing technologies, digital design, simulation, and data-intensive learning.

Finally, the RACP grant will establish incubator space for manufacturing and manufacturing-adjacent startups, connecting them with technical resources, mentorship, and collaborative partnerships that accelerate commercialization and business growth.

Building the Local Workforce

The grant application was submitted on behalf of the College by the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County. Jim Becker, its executive director, has been a strong partner and advocate of the ALIC initiative since its founding.

"The ALIC model is already showing incredible results," Becker said. "Classes are filling up within hours of the course offering advertisements and, most importantly, ALIC is quickly responding to our manufacturer's needs. Senator Brooks has been a staunch supporter of building our skilled workforce and entrepreneur ecosystem in Crawford County. We greatly appreciate her continued support."

"I appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively on this incredible project with Allegheny College, Economic Progress Alliance, and our manufacturers that will strengthen our workforce, create jobs, and promote entrepreneurship, while helping to preserve our area's strong heritage of manufacturing," Brooks said in a press release. "I also want to thank the Administration for their interest in this project as well."

The investment is the third recent milestone for ALIC @ Bessemer. April brought the establishment of the Tool City Talent Fund scholarship program for individuals pursuing advanced manufacturing careers in the region. In May, Allegheny College and ALIC were included in a $1.3 million National Science Foundation grant awarded to a statewide intercollegiate partnership.

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