Center Valley, PA – October 30, 2026 – Penn State Lehigh Valley is expanding into downtown Allentown with a nearly 8,500-square-foot renovation at 835 Hamilton Street, made possible by a $500,000 state grant secured by State Senator Nick Miller and the Allentown House Delegation.
The new location, on the ground floor of The Hamilton at Grand Plaza, will transform a former coffee shop and restaurant space into a center for education, innovation and community engagement. The facility will include Penn State Lehigh Valley’s AI Innovation Lab, a community-facing resource designed to help businesses, entrepreneurs, schools and public agencies explore and responsibly apply artificial intelligence through demonstrations, training, consulting and applied projects. The space will also create opportunities to connect Penn State students and faculty with regional employers through internships and work-based learning. Following the necessary zoning approvals, the project is now underway, with completion anticipated in early 2027.
Along with campus programs, the new location will also be home to the Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox – an accelerator that offers free resources to entrepreneurs at every stage, from early business idea support to mentorship, legal services, and coworking space.
“As a land-grant university, Penn State is committed to providing access to education and public service to support the citizens of Pennsylvania,” said campus Chancellor Dr. Tina Richardson. “With the help of our local leaders, we are uniquely positioned to amplify the global resources and unparalleled expertise of the university right here in the Lehigh Valley.”
“By securing the $500,000 state grant that made this project possible, we were able to lock in Penn State’s presence in downtown Allentown,” said State Senator Nick Miller. “This funding turns a vision into reality and ensures that Penn State Lehigh Valley, a proven, high-quality partner with a strong record of results, is expanding directly into the heart of our city. Now students, residents, and entrepreneurs will be able to connect with Penn State right downtown, creating new energy and opportunity for Allentown.”
Miller added, “Through Penn State Lehigh Valley’s LaunchBox, entrepreneurs, veterans, and small business owners gain access to mentorship, legal services, and coworking space, helping turn bold ideas into thriving businesses. Penn State’s online campus, ranked number one by Military Times for veterans, further reinforces its commitment to those who served. This investment not only supports a program but also secures a long-term partnership that strengthens our economy, expands access to education and innovation, and makes Allentown more competitive.”
The money will be used to build out the essential technology infrastructure and support marketing plans—ensuring the value and visibility that will help strengthen the local community.
“Our new downtown Allentown location enhances collaboration between entrepreneurs, community and industry partners, the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), educational institutions, and workforce development organizations to foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said LaunchBox Director Cindy Evans. “From soft-landing programs, to manufacturing and sales, LaunchBox is ready to help build the next generation of businesses that strengthen the Lehigh Valley economy.”
“This fantastic investment will help our veterans in the Lehigh Valley to receive state-of-the-art training, mentoring and support to start or continue their small business,” said Lehigh County state Rep. Peter Schweyer. “It’s through partnerships like this with Penn State Lehigh Valley that help keep the local economy growing. I am always pleased to partner with Sen. Miller to secure funding and thank him for his continued collaboration to support Lehigh Valley small businesses.”
“When we talk about investing in our communities, education has to be part of that conversation,” said Rep. Ana Tiburcio. “I have always believed that opportunities should be within reach for everyone, regardless of their background or where they come from. Having Penn State Lehigh Valley expand into the heart of downtown Allentown means so much more than another building. It means opening doors for our residents, our young people, and even adults who may be thinking about going back to school. This is the kind of growth I love seeing in our city, growth that brings people together, creates opportunities, and gives our community something to look forward to.”
“This partnership with Penn State Lehigh Valley represents a meaningful step forward in expanding our work on behalf of students and families across the Allentown School District,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Allentown School District Superintendent. “Our students are already benefiting from dual enrollment opportunities, and this collaboration allows us to deepen and extend that work, particularly in high-demand areas such as entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.”
As part of this initiative, Allentown School District will partner with Penn State Lehigh Valley to launch the Allentown School District Academy of AI & Entrepreneurship, an early college and career partnership serving district students. Based at the new downtown location, the Academy will expand access to dual-enrollment coursework, hands-on experience with emerging artificial intelligence tools, entrepreneurial programming through Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, and targeted workforce development opportunities.
Birks added, “By strengthening access to high-quality postsecondary learning experiences in the heart of downtown Allentown, we are building clearer pathways from classroom to career. Just as importantly, we are building on the AI learning experiences our students are engaging in now, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to innovate, solve problems, and lead in a rapidly changing world. Together, we are creating more opportunities for students to envision what’s possible, connect learning to real-world outcomes, and pursue their goals with confidence, whether that path leads to college, career, or to creating and launching their own business, product, or community-based initiative.”
The addition of the downtown campus is part of a broader strategic programming effort designed to respond to the needs of today’s students and learners.
“Many students are working while attending Penn State Lehigh Valley, while others are completing internships, working on campus, or exploring other professional experiences,” said Richardson. “We are bringing all of these experiences together to help students tell a compelling story when they enter the job market.”