"This is something that has been talked about and planned for and dreamed about in Portage through several administrations. Today we'll be breaking ground for University Center Portage," said Mayor Olga Velazquez, standing on the very grounds where the new university will be built.
The grounds are on Central Avenue, amidst the busy downtown area. The project will be completed in one year, with the ribbon cutting taking place next June.
The Mayor joked with her green hardhat on, "I'm just going to ask Gough that next time we'll have red hats for Portage, right?"
Along with the members of Gough Inc, CSK and SCH, Mayor Olga Velazquez took her golden shovel and began the long upcoming process by turning over the dirt. This ground will eventually become the institution to educate the college-age Portage community.
With the help and support of WorkOne and the Development Commission, University Center Portage will become an academic hub for the citizens of the Porter County area, helping to both secure new jobs for current Portage residents as well as promoting the higher educational system to local prospective students. Now UCP will be part of the scholastic family along with IUN, VU, PNC and Ivy Tech as part of Northwest Indiana's dedication to furthering the education its citizens.
"Education is a good thing, and Portage is making the statement here with this first building that we value education k-12 and all the way through higher learning."