Grow Westmoreland, nonprofit started by Commissioner Kertes, seeks scholarship applications

A North Huntingdon-based nonprofit announced it will award $16,000 in scholarships to students seeking nursing degrees and skilled labor jobs.

Grow Westmoreland, an organization created last year by Westmoreland County Commissioner Sean Kertes, said it raised private donations that will be used to award scholarships to local students between the ages of 18 to 25, to continue their education and job training.

“Our goal is to not only help students financially through scholarships as they begin their journey into skilled labor careers, but to also assist those entering the workforce after they complete training through our tools of the trade grants. Our organization believes this approach provides a full range of financial assistance, to both students and trained skilled labor professionals,” said Jon Wian, chairman of Grow Westmoreland’s board of directors.

Wian said $13,000 will be awarded in scholarships along with $3,000 allocated towards grants to pay for tools and other supplies needed for those entering the labor workforce.

Wian serves as Kertes’ chief of staff at the courthouse. The nonprofit is not associated with Westmoreland County government.

Applications for the scholarships and grants are available on the nonprofit’s website, GrowWestmoreland.org. Deadline is April 30.