United Bank Community Development, based in Atmore, has allocated $6 million in New Market Tax Credit funding to University Charter School in Livingston, Sumter County, for a new 77,376-square-foot school facility.
UBCD’s funding is part of a $25 million package of New Market Tax Credit, but UBCD is the only Alabama bank in the funding mix.
The new building will include classrooms, gym, nurse’s station and more, including a cafeteria and outdoor learning space designed to support farm-to-table learning.
“UCS is honored to be able to partner with UB Community Development LLC on our new facility project as we grow our impact in Sumter County,” said Dr. JJ Wedgworth, head of school for University Charter School. “We are extremely grateful to have a beautiful new state-of-the-art facility to house our students and support the greater needs of the Sumter County community. With the allocation of tax credits from UB Community Development LLC, it allows us to expand, offer new programs and customize our space to create learning environments that best match student needs.”
Founded in 2018 on the campus of the University of West Alabama, University Charter School offers classes from pre-K through twelfth grade. The new facility will allow it to increase enrollment from 605 to 815 students.
“Supporting an educational project of this caliber is core to who we are at UBCD,” said Alex Jones, president of UB Community Development. “I am not sure today we can even begin to fully grasp the long-term impact this school will have on this community and its children. UBCD was excited to help play a small role in the project.”