EDMC will expand its headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh and its existing online higher education facility in Pittsburghs Strip District, and will build a new data center in Allegheny County. The expansion project will cost $30 million. The deal will help EDMC add 600 jobs and retain 2,500 jobs, according to Allegheny County spokesman Kevin Evanto.
With over 136,000 students at 93 locations in 28 U.S. states and Canada, EDMC employs about 16,000 full-time, part-time and adjunct faculty and staff. EDMC spokesman Steve Forde says the firms need for more space and more workers results from increased enrollments. From fall 2008 to fall 2009, the for-profit companys student base grew 24 percent.
“If you look at our growth, its across the board, in traditional settings and online,” he says. The companys decision on a location for its new data center is under discussion and will be announced in the spring.
Allegheny County will provide EDMC $100,000 in community block grants for equipment and $150,000 for job training. Another $5.75 million in state funds, including job creation tax credits, completes the package.
“EDMC has chosen to expand in Allegheny County because of our highly skilled workforce, as well as our regions leadership in the fields of information technology and education,” said Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato in announcing the agreement.
Sources: Kevin Evanto, Allegheny County; Steve Forde, EDMC
Writer: Chris O’Toole