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Centre County economic development strategy

Author: Jules Slater

CBICC Welcomes Seven New Members

Posted on by Jules Slater

At CBICC, we’re proud to support a growing network of businesses that help make Centre County a thriving place to live, work, and grow. Our newest members bring practical solutions, community spirit, and entrepreneurial energy to the table, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the CBICC community!

Brickwork Self Storage: Need more room but don’t want the stress that comes with traditional storage? Brickwork Self Storage offers a clean, modern solution right here in State College. With features like bluetooth entry, climate-controlled units (including drive-up options), and 24/7 recording cameras, you can store your belongings with confidence and convenience. Their fully fenced, keypad-access facility also offers contactless rentals, online bill pay, flexible month-to-month leases, and EZ Pay autopay options, so you can focus on what’s next without the clutter. Learn more at Brickwork Self Storage.

Centre Markets: What began as an online farmers market in 2020 has blossomed into a vibrant storefront at the Nittany Mall. Centre Markets brings together small producers from across the region, offering everything from just-picked produce and fresh flowers to pasture-raised meats, artisan baked goods, raw honey, kombucha, and chef-prepared meals (including gluten-free and vegan options). Learn more at Centre Markets. Learn more at Centre Markets.

ZenBusiness: Starting a business can be overwhelming, but ZenBusiness makes it easier. Their all-in-one platform helps new entrepreneurs form their business, stay compliant, and grow with confidence. With smart tools, real human support, and a mission to make business ownership more accessible for everyone, they’ve already helped over 850,000 people chase their dreams and build something of their own. Learn more at ZenBusiness.

Groznik Public Relations: Groznik Public Relations helps businesses tell their stories in a clear and meaningful way. From writing and messaging to events and media outreach, they work alongside clients to support communication goals with simple, practical strategies. Learn more at Groznik Public Relations.

Penn Steaks: Penn Steaks isn’t just a new cheesesteak spot downtown, it’s a tribute to a local favorite, reimagined by a team with deep Penn State roots. With fresh-baked rolls, upgraded ingredients, and late-night hours, they’ve created a space where students, alumni, and locals can grab a bite and feel right at home.

One-Stop Communications: Born from the need for better internet in Mifflin County, One-Stop Communications has grown into a trusted local provider of high-speed internet, streaming TV, and IT services. Now joined by Mifflin County Wireless and Telecentive, their team is working together under one roof to improve connectivity and technology access across the region. Learn more at One-Stop Communications.

Gunn-Mowery, LLC: Since 1985, Gunn-Mowery has been helping people and businesses across Central PA find the “Upside of Insurance.” With a customer-first mindset and a team of local agents, they bring clarity and care to personal, business, and employee benefits coverage. Whether it’s navigating a claim or planning ahead, their goal is to make the insurance experience as positive as possible, because they know it matters most when life doesn’t go as planned. Learn more at Gunn-Mowery, LLC.

We’re excited to welcome these businesses to the CBICC community and look forward to the energy, innovation, and local impact they bring to Centre County. Whether they’re serving up fresh food, providing high-speed internet, supporting small business growth, or bringing insurance guidance with heart, each of these members adds something valuable to our region.

Want to learn more about becoming a CBICC member? Connect with us here.

Silver Anniversary Celebration at Discovery Garden September 18th

Posted on by Jules Slater

(Hollidaysburg, PA)  The Discovery Garden, located at Legion Park in Hollidaysburg, invites everyone to celebrate the Garden’s 25th Anniversary at a special reception on Thursday, September 18th.  Join the Discovery Garden Executive Committee and volunteers for refreshments at 5:30pm, along with a performance by the Altoona Symphony.  A brief program of acknowledgements will begin at 6pm, followed by more music and camaraderie after. 

Don’t miss this community milestone celebration with your neighbors, Blair County leaders, and some of the founders and workers that have made the Discovery Garden the jewel of our region for a quarter of a century. 

Bring a blanket or folding chair to enjoy lawn seating during the symphony performance.  There is no charge to attend, and no need to RSVP.

About Discovery Garden

The Discovery Garden, a project of the Skills Foundation, is an award-winning public garden located, adjacent to the Kids’ Kingdom Play Park in Legion Park. Since its opening in 2000, the Garden has become a community and regional sightseeing and gathering destination. This beautiful and peaceful place is dedicated to the memory of Courtney Leigh Claton. In 2008, Discovery Garden earned the Community Greening Award presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Alliance; the award recognizes the creation and maintenance of a public green space that enhances the community.

The Discovery Garden is handicapped accessible and includes a Horticultural Therapy Garden. Other specialty gardens in this inviting botanical space include the Cottage Garden, which earned the 2016 “Garden of Distinction” blue ribbon from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; the Time Garden, which contains one of the largest horizontal sundials on the East Coast; and the Children’s Garden, which includes a potting shed, a rabbit hole tunnel and a rainbow garden; and the new Rain Garden. The Discovery Garden also contains the Planting Garden, comprised of raised beds planted in the spring by local elementary school students. The latest addition is a new kaleidoscope, designed and built by one of the world’s most renowned kaleidoscope artists, installed in 2023 for all to enjoy.

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For more information contact Mike Lysakowski at mlysakowski@skillsgroup.org

814-238-3245 x-1113 or  814-571-3125 Cell

Rich Dad Poor Dad Exclusive Real Estate & Wealth-Building Event Coming to Penn State

Posted on by Jules Slater

Community Invited to Attend and Learn from World-Renowned Experts

State College, PA– Robert Kiyosaki, internationally acclaimed author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and one of the most influential voices in financial education, will appear live at Penn State University on Friday, August 29 as part of a special one-day event: “Rich Dad Revealed: Real Estate, Wealth & Wisdom.”

Hosted in the Nittany Lion Inn Ballroom from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (doors open at 12:30 PM), this exclusive event will bring together students, alumni, and the broader public for an engaging and educational experience focused on personal finance, tax strategies, and real estate investing.

Joining Kiyosaki are his trusted Rich Dad advisors:

  • Garrett Sutton, Esq. – Asset protection expert and bestselling author
  • Tom Wheelwright, CPA – Real estate tax strategist and author of Tax-Free Wealth
  • Ted Sutton, Esq. – Business law and structuring expert

“Our mission is to bridge classroom theory with real-world opportunity,” says Mallory Meehan, Clinical Associate Professor of Real Estate and Associate Director of the Borrelli Institute for Real Estate Studies at Penn State. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for students and community members alike to learn directly from global leaders in wealth creation and entrepreneurship.”

This event is part of the Borrelli Institute’s commitment to providing real-world, application-based learning opportunities that prepare students for advanced careers across a wide spectrum of real estate ventures.

Tickets

  • Penn State Students: $15
  • General Public: $50
  • Private Lunch with Speakers (Only 4 Spots Remaining): $150

Register now: https://lnkd.in/eZB6nK2a

Space is limited and tickets are selling fast.

For press credentials, media interviews, or more information, please contact:
Mallory Meehan
Email: mmm446@psu.edu
Clinical Associate Professor of Real Estate
Associate Director, Borrelli Institute for Real Estate Studies

Smeal College of Business, Penn State University

 

Kish Bank Appoints Jordan Cupp Branch Manager in State College

Posted on by Jules Slater

STATE COLLEGE, PA –August 5, 2025 – Kish Bank has announced the appointment of Jordan Cupp to Branch Manager of Kish Bank’s South Atherton branch in State College.

Cupp joined Kish in 2023 as a Personal Banker at the North Atherton Branch in State College after a previous career in education. With her teaching background and leadership skills, Cupp was quickly promoted to Regional Operations Manager in May of 2024 and has since played an instrumental role in delivering the Kish experience to clients. She entered her new role as Manager of the South Atherton branch earlier this summer on June 30.

Cupp shared that she is excited to serve the people of State College through extraordinary branch service. “Since I started as a teller, engaging with customers has helped me grow professionally.  The relationships we establish with our customers are unmeasurable, and I am proud to be a part of this legendary organization,” she said. Cupp added she hopes to get more involved in the Centre County community in her new leadership role.

Cupp is a graduate of The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree and served as an elementary teacher for several years in Iowa and Texas before her move to Pennsylvania. She resides in Warriors Mark with her husband and son.

About Kish Bank

Kish Bank is a $1.8 billion regional community bank that operates 20 offices and financial centers serving Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, and Juniata counties, and northeastern Ohio. Other business units of Kish Bank include Kish Insurance, Kish Financial Solutions, Kish Benefits Consulting, and Kish Travel.Kish Bank is a subsidiary of Kish Bancorp, Inc., trading under the OTCQX stock ticker symbol of KISB. For additional information, please visit MyKish.com.

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Kish Bancorp, Inc. | 2610 Green Tech Drive, State College, PA 16803 | 1-800-981-5474 | MyKish.com

Penn Highlands Healthcare Implements New Emergency Alerts

Posted on by Jules Slater
At Penn Highlands DuBois, shown with a poster of the new emergency alerts are (l. to r.) Jocelyn Long, Director of Quality and Safety, and Megan Bussard, System Vice President of Safety and Quality at Penn Highlands Healthcare.

(August 5, 2025 — DuBois, PA) At Penn Highlands Healthcare, the safety of patients, visitors, employees, physicians and volunteers is one of its highest priorities. On August 6, 2025, the health system is standardizing all medical, facility and security alerts across its hospitals and senior living facilities to improve communication and responses during emergencies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have recommended the use of plain language alerts to communicate clearly in emergency situations.

Throughout the health system, standardized plain language emergency alerts are replacing the color-coded codes, which have been used to notify employees, physicians and volunteers about critical situations occurring in the hospitals and senior living facilities. 

The new alerts use clear, everyday language to ensure that everyone – including patients and visitors – understand the nature of the situations and the actions required to be taken. 

“By sharing plain language alerts with patients and visitors, it helps to improve communication and reduce confusion during emergencies, said Megan Bussard, System Vice President of Safety and Quality at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “The new alerts help ensure that everyone, including non-healthcare professionals, understands the nature and scope of an emergency, facilitating faster and more effective responses.”

The alerts will be identical for allhospitals and senior livingfacilities in the Northwest, Central and Southwest regions. 

Alerts will reflect three types of situations: 

  • Medical, such as alerts for the Rapid Response Team
  • Facility, such as a fire
  • Security, such as a combative patient

“We are standardizing the alerts to eliminate confusion that can be associated with the ambiguous codes; help facilitate faster responses by clearly stating the emergency; and provide greater transparency by sharing clear information about the nature of the emergency,” explained Bussard. 

For more than 10 weeks, the health system’s employees have been receiving training on the new alerts to enrich their understanding and increase their safety awareness so that they are well prepared to respond when the new alerts are announced.  

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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011 and is comprised of nine hospitals. Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College is a new state-of-the-art hospital that opened in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacies.

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with approximately 6,200 employees in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,396 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds.  The system, which has 849 physicians and 427 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare a great choice for healthcare in the region.