Thursday, October 22, 2026
A Pennsylvania College of Technology student works on digging a straight trench at the institution’s Heavy Construction Equipment Training Operations Site in Brady Township. Thanks to $1.05 million in funding provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, the college will be making improvements and enhancements to classrooms, labs and student spaces at the site, which provides hands-on training opportunities for heavy equipment students.
Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of $1.05 million in funding to renovate and expand facilities related to its popular heavy equipment majors.
Funding support is provided by Devon Energy Corp. ($750,000) and Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. ($300,000) through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program. NAP provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities.
State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors; state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-83, a college alumnus; and state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-84, announced the funding, part of $6,534,088 awarded to Lycoming County.
“Penn College is incredibly grateful to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development for this significant investment in workforce development and community advancement,” said Penn College President Michael J. Reed. “Our heavy equipment operator program is in high demand, and this funding will enable critical renovations and expansions to our facility, increasing our capacity to serve current and future students and ensuring they have access to the state-of-the-art, hands-on education needed to succeed in construction and heavy equipment careers.”
“We are very thankful for the NAP grant and the support of Devon Energy and Glenn O. Hawbaker. The companies’ financial commitments through the grant will provide significant benefits to our heavy equipment students, whose skills are needed throughout industry,” said Kyle A. Smith, vice president for college relations. “Both companies have been generous benefactors of the college, and we greatly appreciate their continued dedication to our students and institution.”
Formerly Coterra Energy, Devon Energy is a prominent independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Houston. Devon Energy is a member of the Millionaires Society ($1,000,000+) on the college’s Donor Wall. A Penn College Corporate Tomorrow Maker, Glenn O. Hawbaker is a leading heavy and highway construction company based in State College. Glenn O. Hawbaker is a Visionary Society ($100,000-$499,999) member on the Donor Wall.
The renovations facilitated by the NAP grant will focus on the 174-acre Heavy Construction Equipment Training Operations Site in Brady Township, just south of the college’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center. Plans call for improvements and enhancements to classrooms, labs and student spaces.
The site is primarily for students enrolled in the heavy equipment operator technology major, who gain hands-on experience operating heavy construction equipment in preparation for industry careers. Students in the heavy equipment technology major also use the location for a safe equipment operation course while developing the skills needed to maintain, diagnose and repair heavy equipment. Together, the two associate degree programs enroll about 100 students.
The funding was part of more than $71 million awarded to 443 statewide projects through NAP.
“The Neighborhood Assistance Program allows businesses, communities and organizations to work together to revitalize our neighborhoods and improve access to job opportunities, quality education and affordable housing,” Yaw said. “I appreciate working with Rep. Flick and Rep. Hamm to support these worthy projects in Lycoming County.”
“DCED’s Neighborhood Assistance Program is a win-win for businesses, nonprofits and the many community members who benefit from nonprofit missions,” Flick said. “A wide variety of services are made available through these partnerships, from food security programs to housing, youth development and education.”
“Our communities are strongest when we work together, and we are blessed by great organizations that dedicate themselves to helping our residents facing food insecurity, homelessness, unemployment and a lack of childcare, as well as those that aim to improve opportunities for young people,” Hamm said.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions & Secondary Partnerships Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
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