In The News

BUTLER TECH ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION OF WEST CHESTER BIOSCIENCE CENTER

September 30, 2024  |  Butler Tech
Butler Tech Bioscience Center

In a forward-thinking initiative, Butler Tech is expanding its Bioscience Center to meet the growing demand for healthcare education. This state-of-the-art facility will significantly increase opportunities for students in healthcare pathways, directly addressing the workforce needs of the region. 

 

Biomedical science is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in America, employing more than 14 million people in a wide range of careers.  Biomedical science provides an opportunity for people to use their skills to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humans. 

 

The West Chester Bioscience Center provides students with unparalleled opportunities to earn diplomas, certifications and degrees, gaining hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting.  Butler Tech has unique partnerships with local hospitals and medical practices, offering students hands-on opportunities such as job shadowing, internships and clinical experiences.

 

The modern Butler Tech Bioscience Center facility is a red beacon of progress from its hill in midtown West Chester overlooking Interstate 75.  The state-of-the-art labs at the Bioscience Center are filled with the same tools used by professionals in the field and classrooms are designed to simulate real-world medical facilities.  Experienced instructors prepare students for careers in this booming industry using the nationally renowned Project Lead the Way curriculum.

 

The 25,000 square-foot expansion responds to a 15% increase in student applications, enabling more students to access vital healthcare training and reducing the number of applicants turned away. The enhanced facility will introduce new career pathways and foster partnerships with local hospitals and educational institutions, offering credentials for future healthcare professionals. 

 

Funded by a $7.2 million grant from the Ohio biennial budget through Career Technical Construction program, with an additional $4.9 million from Butler Tech, totaling $12.1 million.

 

“This grant will provide us the opportunity to continue to transform lives in our community,” said Jon Graft, superintendent of Butler Tech.  “This expansion project directly addresses the growing community need, as a steady increase in student applications necessitates increased capacity to provide quality career education for aspiring healthcare workers. Plus, through partnerships with local hospitals and higher education institutions, the expansion project will provide a high-quality space for students to earn in-demand credentials to become healthcare professionals.”

 

This will be the second expansion of the Bioscience Center building since the original $16 million two-story building opened in 2016. In 2020, a $1.8 million expansion was opened to students providing additional classroom and lab spaces.