Reading CollegeTowne initiative takes first step

 

Alvernia expands into downtown Reading after entering into a letter of intent agreement for a location on Penn Street as the genesis for the Reading CollegeTowne strategy. The site is the former CNA building, located at 401 Penn Street.

 

鈥淧artnerships and collaborations over several months with multiple parties have brought us to this spectacular win-win situation,鈥 said 媚娘直播 President John R. Loyack. 鈥淭his is what Reading CollegeTowne is all about鈥攅veryone working together,鈥 he added.

 

Alvernia serves as a strategic enabler in the Reading CollegeTowne model, which includes engagement, student housing, a student-centered business incubator, academic programming and buildings. 媚娘直播鈥檚 recently re-imagined O鈥橮ake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship will be the catalyst for educational and business expansion in downtown Reading.
 

 

 

鈥淲e want to focus on developing student-centered entrepreneurial services in our new downtown space that will bring life to innovative ideas in an effort to create new ventures for downtown Reading,鈥 said associate provost and vice president and chief operating officer for the O鈥橮ake Institute Dr. Rodney Ridley. 鈥淭hrough student-centered entrepreneurial services, partnerships with the local community and associated resources, we will enhance the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by adding new and unique activities to help increase the success rate of businesses, especially at the beginning stages.鈥

 

Over the next several weeks, 媚娘直播 will work toward a purchase and sale agreement of the location, which is currently occupied by the I-LEAD Charter School.

 

鈥淚-LEAD is excited to be able to work collaboratively with 媚娘直播 to realize the vision of Reading CollegeTowne,鈥 said I-LEAD, Inc. CEO David Castro. 鈥淲e have a shared commitment to education, economic development and entrepreneurship in the heart of the greater Berks community.鈥

 

Alvernia鈥檚 founders, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, have provided educational and social services to the residents of downtown Reading for 124 years. Given the success of the 媚娘直播鈥檚 Reading Collegiate Scholars and College Readiness programs, 媚娘直播 will utilize the Reading CollegeTowne strategy to expand its mission and promote grassroots efforts to engage city residents to better meet the needs of the city鈥檚 underserved population.

 

Alvernia is uniquely positioned and prepared to lead the Reading CollegeTowne initiative and will enlist other organizations and businesses such as Berks County Community Foundation, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and Berks Alliance to partner together in breathing new life and vitality into downtown Reading.

 

鈥淎s a graduate of Reading High School, I recall many memories of seeing Reading as a vibrant community,鈥 said Berks Alliance Chairman John P. Weidenhammer. 鈥淲e will continue our commitment to making downtown Reading a very active, energetic and revitalized community that it once was.鈥

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