Some $250,000 will go toward the Pennsylvania College of Technology Forest Products Training Center thanks to efforts by U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas.

Through the Interior and Environment and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Acts funding this funding will support building, site, and equipment upgrades and an addition to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center to house a new, modern mill, his office stated.

These improvements will benefit the Forest Technology program and prepare students and incumbent workers for well-paying careers in timber production management.

Meuser said he considered this important to support future growth, while hands-on mill training at Penn College of Technology will equip students for well-paying careers in one of the region’s most vital industries. He said he was glad to help Penn Tech to secure these investments that will continue to benefit local families and employers for years to come.

“Pennsylvania College of Technology is incredibly appreciative of Congressman Dan Meuser and his team for helping to secure critical federal funds for enhancements to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center’s forestry building and recently upgraded sawmill, which will ultimately become the PCT Forest Product Center,” said Pennsylvania College of Technology President Mike Reed, according to a news release. “This support will allow us to continue significant improvements to the facility for our existing industry-informed forestry program, a program which prepares students and incumbent workers alike for well-paying jobs in timber production management — a significant, important, and historic industry in the Commonwealth, and in our region specifically.”