SCRANTON -- Lackawanna College will be expanding its presence in Scranton with a little help from state money.
Governor Tom Wolf announced a $3 million grant to help Lackawanna College expand its classrooms and lab space to vacant properties on Adams Avenue in Scranton.
"$3 million to invest in Scranton, $3 million to invest in education in our kids, $3 million to invest in good jobs, good paying jobs. This is really a wonderful thing," Governor Wolf said.
The college is calling the area the future Cornerstone Commons.
One building will be the new home of dining commons and classrooms, including a learning area for the culinary program.
The other building, which is six stories, will hold meeting rooms and offices. Once construction is complete, the property will cover 95,300 square feet.
Mark Volk, the president of Lackawanna College, told Newswatch 16 the entire redevelopment project will cost around $25 million.
The college in Scranton applied for $10 million in grant money. While the school is receiving less than what they had hoped, Volk is happy to start a project that has been several years coming.
"We don't have that depth and reserves that many colleges and universities do, so in this case, this gives us a great start," Volk said.
Students in the culinary program are excited to get a bigger learning space.
"From being a first-year, seeing how many students we had to this semester, seeing how many new students came, absolutely, I think the school is building and growing," Nia Scott said.
"Getting this new building is really going to ramp up the program and I'm really excited to get the new building and new restaurants to work in and kitchens. It's going to be exciting," Alex Marchena said.
Lackawanna College plans to begin construction as early as next spring. There is no timeline on how long the $25 million project will take.