A new initiative is set to transform the landscape of workforce development in Northeastern Pennsylvania as Lackawanna College and local leaders have officially commenced construction on a significant new project. The Center for Technology Innovation, as it’s called, aims to enhance the regional economy by providing cutting-edge education and training opportunities.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, college President Jill Murray emphasized the center’s potential impact, stating, “The future of the workforce is here. We’re not going to help New Jersey’s economy and New York’s economy. We’re going to help Northeastern Pennsylvania’s economy. And that means something to people here.”
Located at 520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, the new facility will offer diverse educational programs, including undergraduate degrees, corporate training, and short-term certificates. These programs will cater to fields such as robotics, electric vehicles, and emerging energy technologies. The center is expected to launch in the fall of 2026 and will accommodate around 300 students annually.
Sarah Hofius Hall
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WVIA News
After years of planning and considering various locations, the college has committed to a 17,500-square-foot space that includes what was once the Able Brake Building. The $10 million investment is part of a broader expansion of educational institutions in the area. This follows Johnson College’s recent decision to relocate its diesel programs to nearby 814 Wyoming Ave.
The center will provide a range of training options, from corporate partnerships to dual enrollment courses for high school students, aligning education with industry needs. State Rep. Kyle Donahue praised the initiative, saying, “It’s an example of exactly what workforce development should look like in Pennsylvania — education aligned with industry, and opportunity aligned with real jobs.”
The project is financially supported by the state, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and Coterra Energy. Rob Crane, who directs the college’s robotics and integrated technologies program, anticipates the center will enhance the program’s visibility. “I think it’s going to open up a lot of avenues for recruitment of talented individuals, so we can get them into the program, and then back out into the workforce and be a part of this community,” he said.
