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Author: Jules Slater

Centre County Spring Job Fair Set for April 23 in State College

Posted on by Jules Slater

PA CareerLink® Centre County and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) invite employers and job seekers to the region’s premier annual hiring event.

PA CareerLink® Centre County and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), in partnership with the Borough of State College and Centre County Government, will host the second-annual Centre County Spring Job Fair. The event will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at C3 Sports, 200 Ellis Place, State College.

This event is expected to bring together over 100 employers and at least 300 job seekers exploring full-time, part-time, seasonal, remote, hybrid, entry-level, and experienced roles across a broad range of industries, including healthcare, education, government, technology, hospitality, public safety, construction, manufacturing, transportation, social services, financial services, engineering, and more.

Employer Information

The Centre County Spring Job Fair is an opportunity to raise visibility and engage with the Centre County workforce and community. Employer tables are available for $75, offering direct access to a large pool of motivated local candidates. Last year’s inaugural event drew 275 job seekers and resulted in more than 120 interviews and approximately 75 placements. Organizers expect this year’s turnout to exceed those numbers. Interested employers can register their table on the Eventbrite page here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981860514148.

“In close partnership with PA CareerLink® Centre County, we launched the Spring Job Fair in 2025 to make an impact on workforce development and economic growth in our region,” said Todd Dolbin, VP of Economic Development at the Chamber. “For this year’s event, we’re looking to build on last year’s success, increasing interviews, direct placements, and connections that strengthen Centre County’s skilled workforce.”

“Leveraging the Chamber’s employer network supports our mission of helping job seekers find meaningful work while helping businesses grow their teams with qualified local talent,” said Rachael Ulmer, Site Administrator at PA CareerLink® Centre County. “We’re excited to partner with them once again and continue our collaboration in the years to come. We also encourage job seekers to visit us ahead of the event to use our computers, update their resumes, and connect with our expert staff for guidance to help them feel confident and prepared.”

Job Seeker Information

Admission is free for job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and to dress professionally. To save time at the door, attendees can pre-register on the Eventbrite page  here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981860926381.

To register as an employer or job seeker or for more information—including a list of registered businesses—please visit www.cbicc.org/centre-county-job-fair/ or contact PA CareerLink® Centre County at 814-548-7587 (TTY: 814-548-7592).

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About PA CareerLink®

PA CareerLink® is Pennsylvania’s one-stop job center network, connecting job seekers and employers with the tools, resources, and services they need to succeed. Job seekers can access no-cost services, including resume assistance, job search support, training, workshops, and more. In addition, PA CareerLink® workforce staff help businesses recruit, train, and retain a skilled workforce through customized hiring solutions and support.

PA CareerLink® is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Program funded with federal dollars. For more information, visit: https://advancecentralpa.org/about-us/public-notices/

About CBICC

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is a dynamic membership organization that champions the interests of private and public organizations. As the region’s leading economic development entity, the CBICC is committed to cultivating a vibrant business landscape by driving economic development, stimulating job creation, and fostering innovation.

 

CBICC Welcomes Drucker Diagnostics as New Investor

Posted on by Jules Slater

Drucker Diagnostics joins CBICC as an Investor member, bringing both global reach and strong local roots to Centre County.

They design and manufacture centrifuges used in hospitals, labs, and healthcare settings around the world, equipment that plays an important role in helping providers get accurate results and make informed decisions every day.

Their approach is grounded in reliability and practicality. The goal is simple: build equipment that works well, fits into real workflows, and holds up over time. With in-house manufacturing and engineering, they’re also able to adapt and create solutions that meet specific needs while maintaining consistent quality.

While their work reaches far beyond the region, their presence locally matters too. From job creation to continued investment in advanced manufacturing, Drucker Diagnostics is part of what keeps Centre County’s business community moving forward.

Park Home Joins CBICC Network as Investor Level Member

Posted on by Jules Slater

CBICC is proud to welcome Park Home as an Investor-Level member of the Chamber.

Since 1940, Park Home has been a trusted, family-owned furniture destination in Central Pennsylvania, helping generations of customers turn houses into homes. With a wide selection of quality furniture and mattresses for every room, Park Home combines product expertise with a genuine commitment to service.

What truly sets Park Home apart is its people. Their experienced team focuses on building relationships, offering expert guidance, and providing free in-home design consultations that help customers feel confident in their choices. That care and consistency have earned Park Home recognition as a community favorite and a business families return to year after year.

We’re glad to welcome Park Home into the CBICC network and appreciate the lasting connections they’ve built with customers and the broader community.

Thrive HR Management Opens Office in State College

Posted on by Jules Slater

State College, PA – Thrive HR Management is pleased to announce the opening of its office located at 330 Innovation Park, Suite 205, State College, PA, providing a home base for its growing team and expanded services to local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Since opening in 2021 as a fully remote firm, Thrive HR Management has experienced steady growth. The new office location was established following the hiring of additional staff and the continued expansion of services to organizations throughout the region.

The office provides space for collaboration, team training, and client meetings. While Thrive HR often works directly onsite with clients, the State College office allows the team to host meetings and work closely together as the company continues to grow.

“Since launching Thrive HR in 2021, we’ve had the opportunity to support more than 150 employers in Centre County and the surrounding area,” said Becky Dreese, Owner of Thrive HR Management. “Opening an office in State College reflects our continued growth and our commitment to serving our local business community. As we expand, we look forward to building a team of experienced HR professionals who can partner with more businesses.”

Thrive HR Management offers practical HR advice and solutions to small businesses and nonprofits, including coaching, onboarding, offboarding, policy creation, compliance, job descriptions, and workplace best practices.

To learn more about Thrive HR Management or schedule a consultation, visit www.thrivehrmgmt.com.

SpeedPro Central PA Now Open for Business, Offering Large Format Printing Services

Posted on by Jules Slater

Scheduled to host Grand Opening Event on April 13, 2026, featuring demonstrations and a raffle

Bellwood, PA  – March 17, 2026  – SpeedPro, a leading provider of best-in-class large format printing and graphics, today announced the opening of SpeedPro Central PA, its newest studio serving businesses throughout Central Pennsylvania under the ownership of locals Sara and Jake Bilthuis.

The studio will host a grand opening event on April 13, 2026, at 11:30 am ET. The event invites local business owners and community members to tour the facility with a variety of activities and refreshments planned:

  • Print demonstrations on the studio’s EFI 16 H+ flatbed UV printer and HP 700W latex printer.
  • Catered refreshments from locals K&J BBQ and Rachel Bites, alongside other refreshment offerings.
  • A raffle where attendees have the opportunity to win a gift card, a bottle of K&J BBQ sauce, and other merchandise.

Jake brings over 20 years of operations management experience with Norfolk Southern Railroad, while Sara brings 20+ years of experience across government contracting, casework, volunteering, and raising their family. The couple’s decision to open the studio was driven by a shared desire to build something of their own, one that balances family life with meaningful impact in the local business community, and a passion for creative vinyl design.

“We’re excited to bring SpeedPro’s large-format printing services to Central PA,” said Sara Bilthuis. “Our goal is to help local businesses stand out with bold, high-quality graphics that elevate their brand and bring in new business for them.”

“We hope to create a positive environment for our studio to succeed in, and by extension, see other local businesses succeed thanks to the passion and quality of services we bring,” added Jake Bilthuis.

SpeedPro Central PA specializes in large-scale, high-resolution graphics, including car wraps, banners, decals, trade show displays, wall murals, and indoor and outdoor signage. The studio hopes to quickly establish itself as a top-performing location within the SpeedPro network while establishing strong partnerships across the region.

The studio will serve the Greater Central Pennsylvania region, including Bedford, Juniata, Altoona, State College, and beyond. Join the community for this grand opening event, located at 526 N. 4th St., Ste. 1, in Bellwood.

For more information on SpeedPro Central PA, please visit: speedpro.com/central-pa

About SpeedPro

SpeedPro is a 130-location franchise in the U.S., specializing in large-format printing. SpeedPro’s primary product applications include wall, window, and floor graphics, event displays, digital displays, signs, and vehicle and fleet wraps. SpeedPro serves a diverse range of industries, including advertising and marketing companies, retail, healthcare, museums, galleries, restaurants, franchises, event venues, educational institutions, and more. SpeedPro’s mission is to partner with businesses to achieve success through innovative visual solutions.

Media Contact: 

Crackle PR 

SpeedPro@Cracklepr.com