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The 51��Ʒ��Ƶ at Bradford has been awarded a $230,000 grant from the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF). The grant will be put toward the new Engineering and Information Technologies Building, a $22 million green building project slated for the regional campus. The academic facility will house the new engineering technology programs coming to 51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Bradford, including energy engineering technology.

The project includes a rooftop solar array projected to produce approximately 113,000 kWh per year and a building dashboard that will aid in community education and engagement. The building, which is expected to be complete by fall 2022, will be built to a gold level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We’re very grateful to the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund for this support,” said Rick Esch, 51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Bradford’s interim president. “This new building, the rooftop solar array and the building dashboard will provide unique educational opportunities for our students that will help them lead future sustainability efforts in our communities.”

The Met-Ed/Penelec SEF advisory committee stated that the project aligned closely with the fund’s mission, and they appreciated 51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Bradford's commitment to clean energy technology. Upon its completion, the Engineering and Technologies Building will be the third LEED-certified building in McKean County, according to public LEED certification records.