Homer City Redevelopment Open House Showcases Indiana County’s Economic Opportunities
On July 16, 2025, community members, local officials, and business leaders gathered at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC) for an open house about the Homer City Redevelopment project. The standing-room-only event – attended by over 600 people – gave the public a first detailed look at plans to transform the former Homer City Generating Station site into a massive new energy and technology campus. Presentations highlighted the project’s economic development potential and the workforce opportunities it will bring to Indiana County.
The Homer City Generating Station, once Pennsylvania’s largest coal-fired power plant, is slated for an ambitious redevelopment. Homer City Redevelopment LLC (HCR) and its partners plan to invest over $10 billion to build what could be the largest natural gas-fired power plant in the U.S. on the 3,200-acre site. Seven state-of-the-art GE Vernova turbines would generate up to 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity – enough to power a campus of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) data centers. Much of the original plant’s infrastructure (like grid transmission lines and water access) will be repurposed for this new “Homer City Energy Campus”. The project’s scale is unprecedented: it represents the largest capital investment in Pennsylvania’s history, and state leaders estimate it will create 10,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs on site.
Homer City’s redevelopment has drawn national attention to Indiana County’s future. At a recent energy summit in Pittsburgh, even former President Donald Trump highlighted the project as “the largest natural gas-fired power plant ever to be built in North America”. This week, HCR announced a major step forward – a $15 billion contract with EQT Corporation to supply natural gas for the plan. With fuel supply and investors lined up, the Homer City project is positioned to revitalize the region’s economy and solidify Indiana County as an emerging hub for energy and technology.
At the open house, HCR CEO Corey Hessen and project engineers outlined the redevelopment plans in detail, with large display boards showing renderings of future facilities. Indiana County residents were eager to hear how this project will benefit the local economy. HCR was joined on stage by representatives from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and local trade unions, underscoring a theme of community engagement and transparency. “It’s important to keep lines of communication to the public open,” Hessen noted ahead of the event. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions about the timeline, environmental impact, and opportunities for local workers and businesses.
One of the biggest questions on residents’ minds was how Indiana County’s workforce can get involved in this multi-year endeavor. HCR brought labor leaders to the forum to address those concerns directly. Shawn Steffee, business agent for Boilermakers Local 154, spoke on behalf of 16 regional trade unions and promised residents that the development will be a homegrown effort. “We will be using Pennsylvania local labor on this project,” Steffee emphasized, noting the area’s “great skilled workforce here that’s ready to go”. He explained that Kiewit Power Constructors – the national engineering firm serving as the project’s construction manager – will allow local contractors to bid on work contracts, creating opportunities for Indiana County businesses to participate in building the plant and data centers. HCR Vice President Robin Gorman reinforced that virtually every tradesperson in the region will be needed to complete a project of this magnitude: “We need every skilled tradesperson around to help work on this,” she said. These assurances drew applause from the audience, many of whom represented building trades eager for the influx of jobs.
Project officials also addressed environmental and permitting questions. Corey Hessen updated the crowd on progress: demolition of the old coal plant is already in “full swing,” and HCR is working closely with DEP on required air quality permits – “the gateway for construction to really begin”. Erin Wells, DEP’s Northwest regional director, noted that about half a dozen regulatory programs are reviewing the plans and that DEP will monitor the site’s operations and emissions continuously. HCR has committed to post answers to any unanswered community questions on its website, ensuring ongoing public access to information. On traffic and safety concerns, Hessen explained that an emergency management plan is being developed with local police, fire companies, and hospitals, and construction traffic will be routed to specific access roads to minimize community disruption. These plans gave many attendees confidence that growth can be managed responsibly. “I thought it was a good educational opportunity,” said Linda Jones of Indiana after hearing the presentations.
Local officials say the Homer City Energy Campus is a game-changer for Indiana County’s economy. With an estimated 10,000 direct construction jobs expected over the life of the build and around 1,000 permanent high-paying positions in operations, technology, and energy infrastructure, the project’s impact will be felt for decades. “This will be the largest capital investment ever brought to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” noted State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, who highlighted the thousands of jobs coming to the Homer City site. Such an influx of employment and investment is poised to revitalize the region, which has seen declining opportunities in recent years. Matthew Householder, a Center Township supervisor, welcomed the development, saying the area “has been down slow… since the power plant closed and the coal mines have closed over the years. We need something here… hopefully it will bring back people… and keep the community here”. Repopulating the workforce and attracting families back to the community is a key goal shared by many at the event.
County economic development agencies are already mobilizing to ensure Indiana County capitalizes on the opportunities ahead. Byron Stauffer Jr., executive director of the Indiana County Development Corporation and Office of Planning & Development, told the Chamber of Commerce that his team is working with the County Commissioners and local municipalities to help local businesses “be prepared for what is coming” so that “everyone can reap the benefits” of the Homer City project. One immediate challenge is housing the surge of workers who will flood the area during construction. Stauffer noted that efforts are underway to identify suitable housing for the thousands of incoming construction workers. Additionally, a regional development conference is being planned for fall 2025 in partnership with area realtors, aimed at tackling housing needs and guiding local entrepreneurs on how they can “be ready and learn how they can benefit” from the economic boom. In short, Indiana County’s leadership is proactively coordinating resources so that local communities, from small businesses to school districts, can absorb and benefit from the growth.
The Homer City redevelopment also promises longer-term diversification of the local economy. Once operational, the campus will house cutting-edge data centers and energy facilities, creating permanent jobs in fields like IT, engineering, and plant operations. These roles will offer new career paths for area residents. Local educational institutions, such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and technical training centers, are poised to play a role in workforce development. By aligning curricula and training programs with the skill sets needed – from welding and electrical work during construction to computer science and facilities management for data center operations – Indiana County can ensure its residents are first in line for the high-tech jobs of the future. HCR’s leadership has expressed commitment to maximizing these local benefits: “We are fully committed to maximizing the unprecedented level of economic opportunity this project represents not just for Indiana County, but for all of Pennsylvania,” said HCR executive William Wexler in a press statement.
With the first community open house completed, the Homer City Redevelopment project is moving steadily forward. Demolition of the old power station is ongoing this summer, clearing the way for new construction. HCR is targeting late 2025 to kick off major construction work, pending permit approvals – and local hiring is expected to ramp up by late fall 2025 as contractors begin staffing the site. The first large gas turbine units are scheduled for delivery in 2026, and the developers aim to have the power plant producing electricity by 2027. A three-phase development approach has been outlined: Stage 1 is building the power plant, Stage 2 is installing the natural gas pipeline infrastructure, and Stage 3 focuses on attracting data center operators to locate on the campus and consume the energy produced. In fact, HCR’s Corey Hessen announced that the company anticipates confirming its first data center customer by Q3 2025, a milestone that will signal the project’s full commercial momentum.
Local stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged and take advantage of the opportunities this project presents. Here are a few upcoming opportunities and ways to get involved:
- Skilled Workers & Job Seekers: Connect with local trade unions and training programs now to prepare for the thousands of construction jobs coming open. HCR expects to begin a major hiring push by fall 2025, and union halls will be a primary source of qualified labor. Younger workers like 20-year-old Joe Griffiths, a plumbers’ union apprentice, attended the open house to “see what the future is going to hold” and hopes to be among those hired as a welder. With the project’s scale, there will be room for seasoned tradespeople and newcomers alike.
- Local Contractors & Suppliers: Indiana County businesses should get ready to bid on subcontracts and supply deals. Kiewit, the project’s construction manager, will be soliciting local contractors to bid on work packages ranging from construction trades to materials and services. Companies can reach out to the Indiana County Chamber or HCR for information on vendor opportunities and attend the planned fall development conference for guidance on navigating the procurement process.
- Education & Training Institutions: Schools and colleges in the region can tailor programs to meet the project’s workforce needs. IUP and area vocational schools may develop or expand courses in energy technology, HVAC, welding, electrical engineering, and data center management. These programs will equip Indiana County students with skills to fill the 1,000 permanent high-tech jobs the energy campus will create. There may also be internship and research partnership possibilities once the data centers and power facility are operational.
- Local Community & Businesses: A project of this magnitude will have ripple effects on the local economy. Entrepreneurs can anticipate increased demand for housing, food, retail, and services to support the influx of workers and their families. Indiana County’s Office of Planning & Development is helping local communities plan for this growth, from expanding housing stock to improving roads. The public will have continued chances to weigh in and learn more – HCR has pledged to post answers to community questions on its website and hold additional outreach as needed. Residents can stay informed through the official project website (HomerCityRedevelopment.com) and county economic development newsletters for news on future open houses, job fairs, or training sessions.
The Homer City Redevelopment Open House demonstrated a broad commitment to making this landmark project a win-win for Indiana County. Officials and developers showcased not only the impressive engineering plans but also a roadmap for inclusive economic growth – from union labor agreements to small business readiness. The enthusiastic turnout and thoughtful Q&A session signaled strong community interest in the plant’s future. “It’s such a huge project, and it’s much more far-reaching than just Homer City,” said attendee Randy Degenkolb of nearby Marion Center. That sense of regional impact was palpable in the room. As this project moves from planning to reality, Indiana County is positioning itself at the forefront of a new energy era. Local leaders are seizing the moment to ensure that when the lights switch on at the Homer City Energy Campus, the benefits – the jobs, the investment, the innovation – shine brightly across the entire community.
Western Pennsylvania is at a critical juncture in shaping the future of its digital economy, and education leaders are being called to the forefront. On Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., the Eberly College of Business at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) will host a regional forum titled Data Centers, Economic Impact, and Workforce Development: A Regional Call to Action for the Education Sector in Western PA.”
Held in the Eberly Auditorium at 664 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA, this event will bring together K–12 superintendents, educational administrators, postsecondary partners, and key stakeholders from government, business, and industry to explore how the rapidly expanding data infrastructure sector is creating new career pathways – and what must be done now to align educational programming with workforce demand.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with coffee and a light breakfast provided. No parking pass is required.
Attendees will hear from experts about the role of data centers in economic development, regional trends in digital infrastructure investment, and the skills needed for students to compete in a growing technological workforce. With Western Pennsylvania seeing increased interest in data center development, this forum represents an opportunity for educational institutions to collaborate on building a talent pipeline that meets the needs of the modern economy.
Questions about the event or RSVP: contact Chris Koren (Ckoren@iup.edu).
This regional call to action will emphasize partnerships, curriculum innovation, and the urgent need to prepare students for high-demand careers in IT, data systems, and digital logistics—right here in Western Pennsylvania.