IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI), in partnership with Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) and Frontier Credit Union, is launching a new chapter in workforce development and STEM education. This joint effort includes constructing the Future Tech Building, and creating the BEA Applied STEM Institute and Frontier Credit Union’s STEM Scholarship initiative. The facility will be formally known as the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building in partnership with Frontier Credit Union.

“This is a transformative moment for CEI and our community,” said CEI President Lori Barber. “The generous contributions from BEA and Frontier Credit Union will provide our students with the tools, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive in the evolving energy and technology sectors. These investments directly support Idaho’s workforce and economic future.”

The 88,000-square-foot Future Tech Building will house advanced labs, collaborative classrooms and the BEA Applied STEM Institute, an innovative program to connect students with real-world learning and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math. Frontier Credit Union will hold naming rights to a 4,087-square-foot conference space for STEM expert lectures that will also be available for rental as a meeting venue for the broader community.

Battelle Energy Alliance, which manages the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is investing an additional $4.5 million to support the facility and launch the BEA Applied STEM Institute. This contribution builds on BEA’s $1 million contribution in 2022 for the facility’s construction, bringing the total donation to $5.5 million. “This partnership with CEI and Frontier Credit Union directly supports our vision to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said INL Director John Wagner. “The Future Tech Building and BEA Applied STEM Institute will help build the talent pipeline — right here in Idaho — essential to American prosperity.”

Frontier Credit Union is contributing $3.5 million to the project, and this fall will establish a dedicated STEM scholarship program for CEI students through its new Frontier Scholarship Program. Frontier will also launch co-branded debit and credit cards with CEI, with interchange revenue directly funding the scholarship initiative reinforcing its commitment to education access across Idaho.

“As Frontier Credit Union celebrates 90 years of building better lives in Idaho, this partnership with CEI and BEA exemplifies our enduring mission to uplift communities through innovation, education and opportunity,” said Frontier Credit Union CEO Dan Thurman. “By investing in the Future Tech Building, launching the Frontier Scholarship Program and creating the Frontier Conference Center, we are helping ensure Idaho students, especially those pursuing STEM, have the resources and support they need to thrive. Together we are laying the foundation for the next 90 years of progress and impact.”

“This year, BEA is celebrating 20 years of dedication to Idaho’s communities. This additional investment supports our mission to create tangible impacts for the people we serve and grow the next generation of innovators,” said BEA Executive Vice President of Laboratory Operations Juan Alvarez. “The BEA Applied STEM Institute will serve as a central access point for educators, students, community leaders and industry partners to drive applied programming to serve future workforce needs.”

CEI is scheduled to open the Future Tech Building, the BEA Applied STEM Institute and the Frontier Credit Union Conference Center in fall 2026.

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About the College of Eastern Idaho College of Eastern Idaho (CEI, formerly EITC) offers associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce training programs to help students achieve their educational and career goals. With a focus on affordability, accessibility, and student success, CEI is dedicated to providing high-quality education and training to the residents of eastern Idaho. Visit https://cei.edu for more information.

About the Idaho National Laboratory

Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. This consortium comprises key partners including Battelle Memorial Institute, BWX Technologies, Inc., and Amentum. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development and performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

About Frontier Credit Union Founded in 1935, Frontier Credit Union is a full-service, member-owned financial institution headquartered in Idaho Falls. With a mission to build better lives, Frontier serves thousands of members across the state through innovative financial solutions, community investment, and education-focused initiatives. For more information, visit www.frontiercreditunion.com. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.