CHAMBERSBURG – Following an invite-only meeting with Penn State officials, Franklin County’s veteran development chief said the historic Mont Alto campus’ future remains uncertain due to the university’s unclear planning and lack of transparency.
President of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation since its founding in 1986, Mike Ross shared strong concerns about the planned 2027 closure of the Mont Alto campus with LocalNews1.org.
Ross, whose organization drives economic development through business retention, attraction and startups, said that despite his access to university officials at the recent meeting, the process remains opaque and shortsighted.
“These discussions have come too late,” Ross said. “The decision feels like a done deal, made without consideration of the impact on the community and the region.”
With the university providing no data on operating costs, building conditions or campus acreage, local leaders and economic analysts are unable to assess its value or explore alternatives, such as converting it into a technical or community college.
“We are where we are,” Ross conceded, understating the county’s dilemma. “The university didn’t conduct an economic impact analysis to assess the effects of closing the campus on residents or engage in meaningful conversations with stakeholders about what’s at stake.”
The closure has sparked questions about recent investments, particularly a $13.5 million Allied Health building dedicated in 2022 for nursing and therapy programs, historic Wiestling Hall and Emmanuel chapel, extensive residence halls, science and engineering labs, and a 200-acre arboretum for forestry training.
“The Allied Health program, particularly nursing, was a jewel of the campus, producing 14 nurses last year and addressing critical workforce needs,” Ross said.
Data compiled by his office show Franklin County to be a growing region, yet the university claimed demographic trends in South Central Pennsylvania justified the Mont Alto closure. “The numbers contradict their reasoning.”
The university’s failure to consult Quincy Township and local school districts early on demonstrates a lack of community engagement, as the township has jurisdictional control over much of the campus land, alongside other key stakeholders like surrounding school districts.
Donors, especially those tied to the new Allied Health building, are frustrated, Ross said. The university has a moral obligation to explain how its contributions were used and why the campus is now being closed.
As for possible futures, he sees potential for the campus to remain operational under new ownership, possibly as an educational or workforce training hub, especially given the value of the recently built Allied Health facility.
Without meaningful data, residents struggle to prepare for the likely transition. Advocates still working to save the campus face an uphill battle, but their efforts could attract interest from other quality institutions by highlighting the campus’ value. With two years until the closure, Ross urged continued collaboration.
“I hope residents can come together to find a solution, whether it’s bringing in another institution or repurposing the campus for workforce training.”
