LCCC Awarded $5 Million Grant for Lilly Partnership
Schnecksville, Pa., Feb. 2, 2026—Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) is poised to become the hub of pharmaceutical workforce development in Pennsylvania. Following an announcement by Governor Josh Shapiro at the Da Vinci Science Center, LCCC will receive a $5 million state investment to develop a specialized science and technology lab.
The facility serves as a cornerstone of the historic deal bringing global pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company to Upper Macungie Township. With Lilly investing $3.5 billion into the region—the largest private-sector investment in Lehigh Valley history—LCCC will lead the effort to train a highly skilled, local workforce.
“We are carving out clear pathways to careers that offer both stability and the chance to contribute to life-saving medical advancements,” said LCCC President Ann Bieber. “Our programs provide a seamless journey—from workforce certifications to associate degrees and transfers to four-year institutions—offering students ‘on and off ramps’ for lifelong learning and career advancement.”
Training the Workers of Tomorrow
The new laboratory will feature state-of-the-art equipment designed to mirror the advanced manufacturing environments found in Lilly’s facilities. LCCC will renovate an existing building to create dedicated training pipelines for high-demand roles, including
• Lab Testers
• Quality Assurance Technicians
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Production Specialists
“Our new teaching laboratories will provide the hands-on environment necessary to train the next generation in producing safe, effective, and accessible medications,” said Andrew King, LCCC interim dean of science, mathematics, and health care sciences.
A Landmark Economic Partnership
The Lilly facility will focus on producing life-changing medications, including the weight-loss drug Zepbound. Governor Shapiro emphasized that the $5 million grant ensures the high-paying jobs created by this investment remain accessible to the local community.
“We’re proud to have institutions like LCCC where we can create unique curricula to train the workers of tomorrow,” said Governor Shapiro. “This is a win for Lilly, for Pennsylvania workers, and for local partners like the Parkland School District who will serve as feeders into these high-paying, transformative careers.”
A National Leader in Technical Education
This collaboration marks LCCC’s second major corporate training milestone. The college is already distinguished as one of only four centers in the U.S. authorized to train workers for Amazon’s advanced manufacturing and robotics facilities. With this new investment, LCCC reinforces its position as a national leader in technical education and a vital engine for the Lehigh Valley’s economic future.
