Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The PNC Bank building in downtown Warren.

The Federal government has given a shot in the arm to a local development project.

Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-5th District) announced on Wednesday a $90,000 grant to the Warren County Development Association for the rehabilitation of the PNC Bank Building on the corner of Second Ave. and Liberty St. in downtown Warren.

The source of the funds is the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development, an entity specifically tasked with providing grants and loans to “help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas,” Thompson’s statement explained.

The grant will specifically be utilized “to complete interior renovations and improvements to the co-working center to be located on the first floor…. Restroom facilities will be upgraded along with floor coverings, wall treatments and installation of wireless high-speed broadband service.”

“We don’t have an opening date at this point, as we are focused on first getting the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College houses,” Commissioner Ben Kafferlin said. “That said, we hope to keep the two projects working concurrently, as much as possible.

“The USDA funding certainly makes the co-working space a viable project. It is the desire of the collaborative workspace team to restore as much of the space as possible in order to preserve heritage while creating a very functional space.”

In addition to the co-working space and the NPRC, PNC Wealth Management will remain in the facility.

The WCDA has undertaken the $2.5 million project that will renovate the structure, originally built in 1900 to be the home of the Warren National Bank.

At a renovation cost of approximately $500,000 per floor, WCDA President and CEO Jim Decker previously told the Times Observer that the “building requires significant upgrades which are intended to be completed in the initial phase of the project including modernization of the elevator control systems, installation of a code-compliant emergency exit stairwell within the structure and upgrading of the building’s electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.”

In addition to PNC Wealth Management, the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College headquarters and a co-working space are currently planned to occupy portions of the building.

“I am thrilled for Warren County and the City of Warren to begin this exciting new development, made possible thanks to funding from USDA Rural Development,” Thompson said. “Increasing educational opportunities for adults in the region will lead to better-paying, family sustaining jobs.”