Pennsylvania

Williamsport, PA – The counties of Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union in Pennsylvania meet the distress criteria of less than 80 percent of the national average per capita income. The ten county investment region also suffers from substantial closing and downsizing of businesses. Over a 24-month period, more than 1,130 jobs were lost. Businesses reported job losses ranging from hospitality to the building industry, with a majority in the manufacturing industry.

In September 2017, EDA invested $2,000,000 in Public Works funds to Pennsylvania State College of Technology to fund the expansion of the Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Metal Trade Center (MTC). The purpose of the project is to expand the current MTC building of the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies at Penn College by adding 22,000 square feet of space. The new space will house new classrooms and laboratories for the three welding programs at Penn College: Certificate in Welding, Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Welding and Fabrication Engineering Technology. The project will lead to the development of highly needed skills in the plumbing, engineering, teaching and manufacturing industries. Penn College’s welding programs is expected to graduate 138 students combined. Students in all three programs had robust employment opportunities with family-sustaining wage rates. Students completing a degree and taking jobs in the region have the potential to increase the overall economic well-being of the region. Full-time employment is expected to increase by 23 jobs. Another measurable outcome is the employment of an additional seven full-time individuals by Penn College to support the expanded program. Finally, twelve local companies have provided letters of commitment for the project, showing a strong local commitment to hiring qualified welders from the Penn College program.