Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Harza building is finding new life, as Utica College has chosen the downtown spot as its newest site of expansion.

According to UC president, Todd Hutton, the fourth and fifth floors will be used as a site for the college's expanding online programs. About 25 jobs will be added to the payroll, with more expected in the coming years.

"We know that the downtown is the core, and if the core thrives the whole city will thrive," Hutton said. "We were looking for opportunities to move downtown and this opportunity presented itself. We have a growing online school and we expect to grow more than 30 new jobs in this facility, by itself."

Tom Clark, who owns the building and is an alumnus of the college, says the decision to rent to the UC was easy.

"Once they made the decision they wanted to do the online college, and it didn't have to be on their campus, I thought downtown Utica was a real fit for them," Clark said. "They thought so too, and I made it very worth their while to be here."

Gino Geruntino, WIBX
Gino Geruntino, WIBX
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The project is supported by a $250,000 dollar grant from Empire State Development, which will help the college move into the space. In addition, Clark is offering the school a reduced rent price for the duration of their stay.

Hutton says he believes the space will be ready by March, and says he intends the number of online students to rise from 1,300 to about 4,000.

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