Mount St. Mary's University Secures $115,182 Grant from the Rural Maryland Council

Investment expands the Business Innovation Lab and Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship, two student-focused learning spaces in the Richard J. Bolte Sr. School of Business

EMMITSBURG, Md., Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mount St. Mary's University received a $115,182 grant from the Rural Maryland Council to expand student entrepreneurship and technology resources, creating more opportunities for students to develop ideas, launch ventures and prepare for successful careers.

The grant strengthens the Richard J. Bolte Sr. School of Business by upgrading two student-focused learning spaces. The Business Innovation Lab now includes 32 workstations and monitors, giving students access to collaborative, technology-enabled environments. The Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship added three 3D printers, expanding design, prototyping and venture development activities. Together, these enhancements provide students with modern tools to move ideas from concept to portfolio-ready projects.

The expansion builds on the vision of alumni Robert Pugliese (C'70), Richard Folio (C'88) and Raymond Sloan (C'72), and honors the gift of Diane Loiello Palmieri (C'83) and Paul Palmieri (C'92), which established the Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship.

The Rural Maryland Council grant was awarded through a highly competitive process. This year, 170 applicants sought more than $14 million, with only about $6 million available. Mount St. Mary's University's proposal stood out among this strong pool.

"This grant expands our capacity to deliver innovative, technology-rich experiences that prepare Mount students for career and entrepreneurial success," said Corinne Farneti, dean of the Richard J. Bolte Sr. School of Business. "With these new resources, Mount students can dream boldly and turn their ideas into reality."

About the Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship

The Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship equips students with the skills, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities needed to solve problems creatively and think critically. Rooted in the Mount's liberal arts foundation, the center empowers students to generate ideas and design practical solutions with real-world impact.

About the Rural Maryland Council

The Rural Maryland Council is a nonpartisan partnership that brings together citizens, nonprofits, businesses and government leaders to address the unique needs of Maryland's 18 rural jurisdictions. Through advocacy, investment, and collaboration, the council advances healthy communities, vibrant rural economies and responsible stewardship of natural resources.

About Mount St. Mary's University

Mount St. Mary's University is a private, liberal arts, Catholic university located near the Catoctin Mountain in historic Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a satellite campus in Frederick, Maryland's second-largest city. The university offers more than 70 majors, minors, concentrations and special programs for traditional undergraduate students, and more than 20 adult undergraduate and graduate programs.

SOURCE Mount St. Mary's University