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Commissioners agree to submit ARC pre-application to support Penn State DuBois LaunchBox equipment request
Summary
Clearfield County agreed to act as applicant for an ARC pre-application on behalf of Penn State DuBois LaunchBox seeking $750,000 in equipment for an Industry 4.0 academy; the pre-application is a brief two-page submission and does not commit county funds beyond administrative responsibilities.
Clearfield County Commissioners voted May 13 to serve as the applicant on a federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) pre-application submitted on behalf of Penn State DuBois’s North Central Pennsylvania LaunchBox seeking equipment for workforce training.
County staff presented the request as a pre-application only — a short, two-page submission that, if accepted by ARC, would invite a full application. The LaunchBox requested $750,000 in ARC funds to purchase robotics and manufacturing-inspection equipment for an Industry 4.0 academy aimed at preparing high school seniors and nontraditional students for careers in advanced manufacturing technology. County staff said the project would be a 50/50 match, with approximately $750,000 of existing equipment or in-kind contribution identified by Penn State DuBois.
Jody, a county economic-development staff member who presented the request, said the county’s office would serve as the administrative pass-through and that her office has prior experience administering a similar ARC grant for LaunchBox. Jody said that at this stage no cash match from the county is required and that the pre-application deadline was imminent.
Commissioners asked about campus continuity after a question referencing a circulated “leak list” that mentioned campus changes; staff said they had heard from Penn State personnel that LaunchBox commitments would proceed even if campus configurations change, but that full agreement terms would be addressed if the project is invited to a full application. Commissioners noted the limited commitment required by a pre-application and approved a motion to proceed.
The approval was framed as authorization for the county to submit the ARC pre-application and to administer the grant if awarded; any detailed agreement on placement of equipment or long-term site arrangements would be negotiated later if the project advances to the full application stage.
County staff said a copy of the pre-application materials would be left with the commissioners. No county financial obligation was recorded at this meeting beyond grant administration responsibilities if the award is made.
