Feasibility study to explore future of Penn State Fayette campus
Fayette County leaders and community partners have announced the launch of a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate future opportunities for the Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus property and explore how the site can continue serving residents through education, workforce development, and community engagement.
The study, which will be conducted by Fourth Economy, represents the next phase of work undertaken by the Eberly Campus Transition Team, a diverse coalition of stakeholders that came together following Penn State’s announcement that the Fayette campus would cease operations in the coming years.
The Transition Team includes representatives from county government, education, workforce development, economic development, business and industry, healthcare, community organizations, and regional partners. Since the closure announcement, the group has met regularly and engaged in conversations with post-secondary schools, colleges and universities, career and technical education providers, workforce training organizations, employers, and community leaders to better understand both current needs and future opportunities.
A central theme emerging from those discussions has been the need to preserve and expand affordable educational opportunities for Fayette County residents, while creating stronger pathways to employment, career advancement, and lifelong learning.
“The closure of the Penn State campus presents significant challenges, but it also creates an opportunity for Fayette County to think strategically about the future,” said Fayette County Commissioner Chairman Scott Dunn. “This process is about ensuring that future generations have access to affordable education, workforce training, and opportunities that allow them to build successful lives right here in Fayette County.”
The feasibility study will evaluate the physical campus, market conditions, workforce needs, educational opportunities, community priorities, and potential future uses for the property. Through stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and strategic planning, the project will provide recommendations that can guide future investment and decision-making.
Among the concepts being explored is the development of a Workforce, Education, and Community Hub that could support workforce training, adult education, dual-enrollment opportunities, credentialing programs, entrepreneurship, community programming, and partnerships with educational institutions and training providers. The concept includes the potential for utilizing multiple educational institutions in a shared-space model, allowing Fayette County residents access to a wider range of affordable educational and workforce training opportunities from a single location.
Commissioner Harry Kaufman emphasized the importance of making informed decisions based on data and community input.
“We have a responsibility to fully understand the possibilities before us,” Kaufman said. “This study will provide the information needed to make thoughtful decisions that strengthen education, workforce development, and economic opportunity throughout Fayette County.”
Commissioner Vincent Vicites noted that preserving educational access remains a priority for county leadership.
“For decades, this campus has helped residents improve their lives through education,” Vicites said. “We want to explore every opportunity to ensure that mission continues in a way that serves the needs of today’s students, workers, and families.”
No taxpayer dollars are being used to fund the feasibility study. Financial support for the project has been secured entirely through contributions from private donors, businesses, and philanthropic foundations committed to helping Fayette County plan for the future.
“The level of support for this effort speaks volumes about how important this campus is to our community,” said Muriel Nuttall, executive director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce and The Redstone Foundation. “We are grateful to the private and philanthropic partners who stepped forward to invest in this planning process. Their support allows us to evaluate opportunities without placing any burden on local taxpayers.”
Nuttall said the study is intended to move the conversation beyond speculation and toward actionable solutions.
“This is about more than preserving a campus,” she said. “It is about creating a vision that expands access to affordable education, strengthens workforce readiness, supports economic growth, and explores innovative approaches such as utilizing multiple educational institutions in a shared-space model to better serve the evolving needs of Fayette County residents.”
The feasibility study is expected to begin in the coming weeks and will include opportunities for community engagement and stakeholder input throughout the process. Additional updates will be shared as the project progresses.
While no final decisions have been made regarding the future use of the campus, county leaders believe the study represents an important step toward identifying sustainable solutions that preserve educational opportunities, support workforce development, and position Fayette County for long-term success.
For more information about the Eberly Campus Transition Initiative, contact Nuttall at鈥╩nuttall@fayettechamber.com.鈥�