Industry
Nonprofit, Community & Economic Development
Our Role
- Community Engagement & Stakeholder Facilitation
- Demographic, Workforce, and Economic Data Analysis
- Site Asset Review & Opportunity Mapping
- Visioning & Strategic Framework Development
- Phased Implementation Roadmap
Situation
In 2024, two long-standing institutions—PennWest Venango campus and the adjacent Venango Catholic High School—closed their doors, leaving behind 100+ acres of valuable yet uncertain space in Oil City. The Oil Region Alliance (ORA), recognizing the cultural and economic significance of these properties, quickly acquired the sites to prevent decline and external buyout. With strong community ties and a desire to drive regional renewal, ORA engaged The Hill Group to lead a process that would reimagine the campus’s future while honoring its legacy.
Solution
The Hill Group designed and led a community-centered visioning process grounded in both data and lived experience:
- Conducted stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and public meetings across sectors
- Analyzed workforce, demographic, and economic trends to identify local needs
- Reviewed existing campus assets—buildings, land, and infrastructure—to assess potential uses
- Identified key opportunity themes aligned with community priorities and ORA’s mission
- Developed a preliminary transformation framework and phased roadmap
- Supported activation of short-term pilot uses to catalyze early momentum
Results
- Created a shared, community-endorsed vision for a vibrant, multi-use campus
- Secured high-occupancy leases for key buildings, boosting financial sustainability
- Launched early initiatives such as a nonprofit innovation center and public trail amenities
- Strengthened regional partnerships with employers, educators, and service providers
- Identified facility-specific reuse strategies and priorities for short-, mid-, and long-term growth
- Positioned the campus as a future hub for workforce training, recreation, and cultural engagement
Behind the Scenes
The Hill Group’s approach prioritized trust and inclusion. By inviting diverse perspectives and balancing vision with feasibility, we helped ORA move from uncertainty to action. The project not only preserved community assets—it sparked a regional movement toward collaborative reuse and economic revitalization.