First Niagra Bank Donation To Support Manchester Community College Expansion

First Niagra Bank has announced a $1.3 million donation to Manchester Community College and the town of Manchester. The funds will be used to support the college’s expansion into downtown.

A merger between New Alliance and First Niagra Banks led to the layoff of more than 90 workers in downtown Manchester earlier this year. At the same time, Manchester Community College needed to expand. First Niagra’s $1.3 million donation includes the value of a downtown building for the college, and a cash donation to the foundation that will operate the facility. 

Geena Glickman is president of Manchester Community College.

"We’re bringing students downtown. The jeweler will sell more watch batteries. The restaurants will have more diners. There will be a vitality that with the loss of the employees from New Alliance will help keep downtown alive and young."

Manchester Community College serves over 15,000 students each year. About half are students earning credit in part-time programs. Others are enrolled in non-credit workforce development.  

For WNPR, I'm Diane Orson.