The Final Stretch: Building York County’s Workforce Future

Closing in on the Finish Line for York’s Workforce Future

By Lisa Hurley, Executive Director, York County Development Corporation

Momentum is building, and we’re getting close.

The York Regional Workforce Development Center/Learning Center continues to move forward, and thanks to strong community support, we have now raised over $2.6 million locally toward this $10 million project.

That puts us within just under $400,000 of our local goal.

We are in the final stretch. And what happens next depends on how we finish.

A Project Built for Today—and What’s Next

This project has always been about more than a building. It’s about creating opportunity.

The York Regional Workforce Development Center/Learning Center is a partnership between York Public Schools, Southeast Community College, and the York County Development Corporation. Together, we are building a space where students and adults can gain real-world, hands-on skills that align directly with the needs of our local employers.

Training will focus on high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, automation and technology, skilled trades, and healthcare—careers that are available now and will continue to grow in the years ahead.

Why It Matters

If you talk to businesses across York County, one message is consistent: workforce is the challenge.

This project is a direct response.

It creates pathways for students to earn college credit and industry-recognized certifications while still in high school. It provides opportunities for adults to improve their skills, change careers, or advance in their current roles.

Most importantly, it connects education and industry in a way that helps keep talent here and supports the businesses that drive our local economy.

Where We Stand Today

Over the past year, we’ve made meaningful progress.

A site has been identified. Programs are being shaped by employer input. Strong partnerships are in place. And more than $2.6 million in local funding has already been secured.

We are now within reach of completing the local investment needed to move this project forward. Securing the remaining funds is the final step before bringing the project to partner boards for approval.

Once that threshold is met, the project can advance into the architectural and engineering phase for a 20,000-square-foot facility, designed to expand as demand grows.

This is the point where planning turns into action.

The Final Stretch

We are close—but this is the most important part.

We are working to secure the remaining commitments in the next 30–45 days so we can bring the project forward for SCC board approval and keep the momentum going.

With just under $400,000 left to raise, this is the moment where local support will determine how quickly we move from vision to reality.

Every investment matters. Every commitment helps move the project forward.

Reaching this goal now allows us to take the next step without delay and maintain the alignment we’ve built across partners, planning, and funding.

A Community Effort

What makes this project stand out is the level of collaboration behind it.

Businesses, educators, community leaders, and partners have come together around a shared goal: building a stronger workforce for our region.

We also have grant opportunities pending that could further support the project. These are competitive, and strong local investment helps demonstrate that York County is ready to move forward.

That’s why this final push is so important.

How You Can Help

If you’ve been following this project, now is the time to take the next step.

We are asking our community, businesses, organizations, and individuals, to help close the gap and bring this project across the finish line.

To make a contribution, visit:
https://www.southeast.edu/about/alumni-and-foundation/foundation/donation-form.php
and select York Regional Workforce Development Center/SCC Learning Center, or contact Michelle Birkel at 402.323.3411 or mbirkel@southeast.edu.

If you have questions or would like to talk through an investment, I welcome you to reach out to me directly at lhurley@yorkdevco.com. Commitments made in the coming weeks will directly impact how quickly we move forward.

Looking Ahead

We are close. Closer than we’ve ever been.

And with continued support over the next few weeks, we will move this project forward, creating new opportunities for students, strengthening our workforce, and supporting long-term growth across York County.

This is about building pathways.

Now is the time to finish strong.