The River Parishes Community College (RPCC) Foundation has received a $250,000 grant from Marathon Petroleum’s Garyville Refinery to restore and enhance the Methanol Unit at RPCC’s Reserve Campus. This project will create a cutting-edge Workforce Development Training Hub, giving students critical, hands-on experience in a setting that closely replicates real-world industrial operations.
The restored Methanol Unit will directly benefit students in RPCC’s Process Technology, Instrumentation & Electrical, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding programs, along with faculty who deliver hands-on technical training. Once fully operational, the unit will offer students real-word experience in equipment inspection, process troubleshooting, system maintenance, automation, and industrial safety—skills that are in high demand across the energy and manufacturing industries.
“This partnership with Marathon Petroleum is a powerful example of industry and education working hand-in-hand to prepare a skilled workforce for our region,” said Tarie Roberson, Executive Director of RPCC Foundation. “With Marathon Petroleum’s support, RPCC can deliver workforce training that is directly aligned with industry expectations and critical to the success of our students.”
The $250,000 grant will fund critical inspections, repairs, heater control upgrades, and facility improvements to ensure the Methanol Unit is fully operational, safe, and visually presentable. Once restored and upgraded, the unit will be integrated into multiple workforce training programs and is expected to benefit 40–60 students annually, while also serving as a valuable instructional resource for RPCC faculty.
“At Marathon Petroleum, we are committed to investing in our community and building a strong talent pipeline for the future,” said Jay Richert, Marathon Petroleum’s Vice President of Refining at Garyville Refinery. “By supporting RPCC’s Methanol Unit project, we’re not only enhancing educational opportunities for students but also helping ensure local industries have access to the highly skilled workforce they need to succeed.”
The Methanol Unit project is set to begin in October 2025 and is expected to be completed by September 2026. In recognition of Marathon Petroleum’s investment, RPCC will prominently recognize the company as the primary funding partner through facility signage, communications, and student events at the Reserve Campus.