ACMH Hospital and Butler County Community College receive $2.5 million for projects

The state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program awarded $2.5 million in grants to ACMH Hospital’s oncology wing and the new Butler County Community College in Ford City.

Both projects were championed by the late Rep. Jeff Pyle. His colleagues, state Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, and state Rep. Abby Major, D-Ford City, credited Pyle for spearheading the projects that will benefit generations of residents.

“While Jeff won’t be here to see those efforts come to fruition, they are just a small part of the legacy he has left to all of us,” Pittman said.

Major added: “His memory will live on in this college campus.”

Pyle, who died from cancer, received treatment at ACMH Hospital in East Franklin.

The $2 million state grant to Butler County Community College in Ford City will pay for the completion of the new $7 million, two-story school built on the site of the former Ford City Junior Senior High School. Previously, the state awarded $1.75 million in funding for the project.

Pyle and Major attended Ford City High School. Pyle taught there later before he became a state representative. Both wanted to see the former high school site serve an educational purpose.

Every time Major visited Pyle after he stepped down from public office, “he made me promise that I would get the project finished,” Major said.

Major said she and Pittman went after the additional state funding to finish the project.

“The new BC3 facility will address a critical need for dedicated classrooms, learning space, computer rooms and a science and chemistry laboratory,” Pittman said.

The school will not only benefit students but will boost downtown Ford City, increase tax revenue and help to market Armstrong County, he said.

The school is expected to open in the second quarter of next year.

The recent state grant “shows an investment in Armstrong County and, more specifically, in Ford City,” said Nick Neupauer, president of Butler County Community College.

“This is the truest example of a ‘town-and-gown location’ that we will have, right in the heart of downtown Ford City,” Neupauer said. “It’s an investment in our students to better themselves for a brighter future.”

ACMH’s grant

ACMH Hospital received a $500,000 grant for upgrades to its oncology wing. The state awarded a $1.5 million grant previously for the project.

The renovation of the oncology wing will nearly double the hospital’s treatment capabilities. It will expand the number of exam rooms, clinical support and medical offices. It also will add a new drop-off lane with a canopied entry and quick access to an elevator.

“Jeff spent a lot of time there, and he really wanted to help them with these improvements,” Major said. “This is part of his legacy.”

Construction on the ACMH Laube Cancer Center, in collaboration with Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, should be completed by December.

“ACMH is grateful for the financial support secured though Sen. Joe Pittman and Rep. Abby Major for the completion of the ACMH Laube Cancer Center,” said John Lewis, ACMH Hospital president and CEO.

“This important piece of funding will ensure that we are able to provide exceptional cancer care well into the future with this new facility,” he said.

The new cancer center will feature larger IV therapy bays and a direct connection with nursing staff and other support services. The new layout increases capacity to 18 chemotherapy bays plus two private rooms, which will nearly double former infusion capabilities.

“This entirely new cancer center allows for a more streamlined approach to cancer treatment,” Lewis said. “We are pleased that this exceptional care will now be housed in a comfortable and close-to-home environment for those receiving care and look forward to welcoming patients to the new facility in the near future.”