Wichita State receives $1 million federal grant for innovation campus

Wichita State is getting a $1 million federal grant for roads and water lines to support the first building at the new innovation campus.

The grant comes from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and will go toward the Experiential Engineering Building on the campus, according to a news release.

The building will create 448 experiential engineering jobs within three years, according to the release, and will train students and engage businesses.

“The Obama Administration and the Commerce Department are committed to ensuring that young people are getting the training they need in cutting-edge technologies so that they can compete for the jobs of the future,” said Secretary Penny Pritzker in the release. “The EDA investment announced today will enable students to learn the latest innovative manufacturing techniques that employers are looking for now.”

Wichita State will hold a news conference about the announcement at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium at the National Center for Aviation Training, 4004 N. Webb Rd.

More details on the grant will be announced at that time, according to a news release. Matt S. Erskine, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of commerce for economic development and chief operating officer for the Economic Development Administration and Wichita State University President John Bardo are scheduled to speak.

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Wichita State receives $1 million federal grant for innovation campus."