On July 16, 2025, more than 600 residents, business leaders, and public officials packed the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC) on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania for a historic open house unveiling the transformative vision behind the Homer City Redevelopment Project. The standing-room-only event marked the first in-depth public presentation of plans to convert the former Homer City Generating Station into a sprawling, next-generation energy and technology campus.
The centerpiece of the project: a $10 billion investment to build what could become the largest natural gas-fired power plant in the United States, with seven GE Vernova turbines capable of generating 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity. That power will fuel a new hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC), transforming the 3,200-acre site into the Homer City Energy Campus. HCR CEO Corey Hessen and his team laid out the details during a series of presentations, complete with renderings and Q&A sessions.
“This is about economic opportunity, technological leadership, and community revitalization,” Hessen stated, emphasizing the project’s potential to generate 10,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent positions in operations and data center management. This would mark the largest capital investment in Pennsylvania’s history.
A Surge of Opportunity for Indiana County
Community members asked detailed questions about workforce involvement, environmental safeguards, and timelines. Leaders from 16 trade unions, including Boilermakers Local 154, pledged to use local labor, and Kiewit Power Constructors, the project’s construction manager, confirmed that local contractors will have the opportunity to bid on subcontracts. HCR Vice President Robin Gorman put it simply: “We need every skilled tradesperson around to help work on this.”
Officials from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) were also on hand to address permitting and emissions oversight. With demolition already in full swing, HCR expects to begin major construction later this year, pending air quality permit approvals. By 2027, the site could be generating electricity and housing its first data centers.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Growth
Local leaders see this project as a catalyst for revitalization across Indiana County. State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman hailed it as a “game-changer” and the anchor of a long-term economic recovery. Center Township Supervisor Matthew Householder reflected the community’s hopes: “We need something here… hopefully it will bring back people… and keep the community here.”
To that end, economic development officials like Byron Stauffer Jr., Executive Director of the Indiana County Development Corporation, are actively preparing the region. From planning for temporary worker housing to hosting a Fall 2025 Regional Development Conference with area realtors and entrepreneurs, the county is mobilizing to ensure that local businesses and residents benefit.
The ripple effects will be broad: everything from housing and retail to roads and schools will feel the impact. Stauffer emphasized that Indiana County must be ready to “reap the benefits of what’s coming.”
Building the Talent Pipeline
The Energy Campus will also create demand for a high-tech, highly skilled workforce. To help meet that challenge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) will host a key regional forum for educators:
Data Centers, Economic Impact, and Workforce Development: A Regional Call to Action for the Education Sector in Western PA
Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025 | Time: 8:00–10:00 a.m.
Location: Eberly Auditorium, IUP, 664 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA
Contact: Chris Koren (ckoren@iup.edu)
This event will convene superintendents, higher education leaders, and workforce partners to explore how to align curriculum with the digital infrastructure jobs of the future. From data systems and logistics to HVAC, welding, and computer science, Indiana County’s schools and colleges are being called to the front lines of talent development.
Get Involved
Residents, businesses, and educators all have a role to play as the project moves forward:
- Tradespeople & Job Seekers: Start working with unions and training programs now to prepare for hiring beginning in fall 2025.
- Local Contractors & Suppliers: Connect with the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce or HCR for information on bid opportunities.
- Educators: Begin aligning training programs with energy and data center skills.
- Community Members: Stay informed and participate in upcoming open houses, forums, and local planning efforts.
A New Era for Indiana County
The energy in the room at the July 16 open house was unmistakable. As resident Randy Degenkolb of Marion Center observed, “It’s such a huge project, and it’s much more far-reaching than just Homer City.” With construction ramping up and economic momentum building, Indiana County is on the cusp of becoming a national model for energy and technology redevelopment.
To stay updated, visit HomerCityRedevelopment.com or subscribe to Indiana County’s economic development newsletter.
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Indiana County is not just witnessing history—it’s building the future, one megawatt and one career at a time.