Shippensburg, PA: Shippensburg University was awarded a $700,000 grant from US Housing and Urban Development in support of a renovation project to transform Kriner Hall into an entrepreneurial and innovation hub. The grant was awarded with the support of Congressman John Joyce, MD. The former dining hall is set to become the new home of the already established Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, The Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace, and the Small Business and Development Center (SBDC).
“By co-locating these three initiatives at Shippensburg University, we create a synergistic ecosystem that significantly enhances our ability to support students as they turn their ideas into successful businesses. With an emphasis on adaptability, resilience, and strategic thinking, this space will ensure its impact extends far beyond the businesses it helps launch, by shaping individuals who are prepared to lead in any context,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, president of Shippensburg University.
The Diller Center cultivates creative thinking and collaboration, generating cutting-edge ideas and solutions. By bringing together students, faculty, and community members from diverse backgrounds, the Diller Center sparks the exchange of ideas and the blending of expertise, leading to breakthroughs that wouldn’t occur in isolation.
The Morgan Makerspace provides a space for prototyping and experimentation, allowing students to swiftly transform concepts into tangible products. Equipped with advanced manufacturing equipment, students can rapidly design, test, and refine their ideas.
The SBDC offers crucial business expertise, mentorship, and resources to navigate the complexities of launching and scaling a company. The center serves small businesses in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties.
Also joining the hub is the newly established Small Business Internship Initiative. This collaborative program will connect small businesses with college students throughout the region, establishing a sustainable pipeline of paid small business internship opportunities for students and increase visibility into the value of small business and entrepreneurship.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and Shippensburg University’s Small Business Internship Initiative (SBII) will provide our next generation of business leaders with a path toward the American dream,” said US Representative John Joyce, MD “The Shippensburg SBII will offer students valuable, real-world experience while building the critical skills needed to succeed in the business world. This partnership with local small businesses will also boost economic growth and support our community so that prosperity can continue for future generations. I was proud to champion the Shippensburg SBII in Congress and look forward to its future success.”
“We are grateful for the continued support of our legislators, like Representative Joyce, benefactors and business leaders who continue to see the value in our vision for the future of Kriner Hall. We look forward to starting this project and continuing to serve the future of Pennsylvania,” said Patterson.
The project, which will become a vital contributor to the university’s mission and the broader region’s economic well-being, is supported in part by federal funds from US Housing and Urban Development, totaling $700,000, which represents12.7 percent of the total project.
