CBICC Voice of Business Highlights Zoning, Transportation, Housing, and Regional Collaboration Centre Region municipal leaders shared updates on development, infrastructure, and governance policies.
STATE COLLEGE, PA – February 5, 2026 – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) held its annual Centre Region Municipal Managers’ Update on Thursday, January 29, 2026 as part of its Voice of Business series. Held over breakfast at Toftrees Resort, the event convened municipal leaders from across the Centre Region to share updates on development activity, infrastructure investment, and policy initiatives shaping the region’s growth and quality of life.
Representatives from the Borough of State College, College Township, Ferguson Township, Harris Township, Patton Township, and the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) provided insights on zoning and land use strategy, transportation and pedestrian safety, housing development, and economic development activity across the Centre Region.
“In 2025, we saw impressive growth and development within the Centre Region’s municipalities that complemented the work CBICC and our partners are doing to grow the economy at the county-level,” remarked Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC. “Each of the leaders here today are working hard within their areas and collaborating outside municipal borders on important projects and initiatives that support the goals of Centre County’s Economic Development Strategy.”
Zoning and Land Use
Recapping recent successes and outlining priorities for the year ahead, several managers highlighted efforts to modernize zoning and regulatory frameworks to better align with evolving development patterns and community expectations. College Township Manager Adam Brumbaugh shared updates on zoning changes impacting commercial and industrial areas, particularly around the Nittany Mall and along the Shiloh Road corridor.
“The change to form-based code will essentially eliminate the existing commercial and industrial use classifications that we currently have, creating an opportunity for mixed-use and higher-density development that will include residential uses,” said Brumbaugh. “Now that we have more specifics relative to this zoning change, we would encourage residents, property owners, and developers who are interested in the Dale Summit area—around the Nittany Mall, to get involved and participate in our Planning Commission’s conversations.”
State College Borough Manager Tom Fountaine also shared plans for comprehensive zoning rewrites designed to support economic vitality while responding to increasing development pressure. Harris Township Manager Mark Boeckel and Patton Township Manager Amy Farkas discussed similar efforts underway in their municipalities, supported by Pittsburgh-based strategic planning firm Strategic Solutions, which has ties to Centre County.
“We’re going to be doing a comprehensive review of several of our zoning districts, primarily non-residential,” said Boeckel. “Our commercial, industrial, and residential office districts which, for the most part, have been in existence for the better part of fifty years, are in desperate need of revision.”
Transportation, Road Safety, and Downtown Infrastructure
Interim Ferguson Township Manager Tom King noted that 2026 represents a year of transition for the township, with a focus on strengthening financial stability, organizational capacity, and economic development. He emphasized transportation planning as a key factor in shaping future growth.
“Any time we start thinking about development, we need to consider the impact, down the road and over a long period of time, of traffic,” said King. “Many times, we’ll do a traffic impact study to find a path forward instead of automatically turning down projects that would interfere too much.”
Transportation infrastructure and pedestrian safety emerged as shared priorities across municipalities. Farkas highlighted the importance of coordination with PennDOT and state legislators to address congestion and safety along Atherton Street and, eventually, Waddle Road.
“Atherton Street is right for redevelopment,” said Farkas. “What we’re going to be looking at in the future, is a corridor study that looks at ingress, egress, and zoning to address some of the industrial sites, as well as traffic and pedestrian safety.”
Boeckel echoed these concerns, outlining pedestrian safety initiatives in Harris Township, including sidewalk improvements in the Village of Boalsburg, participation in the Safe Streets for All initiative, PennDOT’s ongoing State College Connector project, and a planned enhanced pedestrian crossing near the Pennsylvania Military Museum.
“The township continues to work on establishing a pedestrian crossing across Boal Avenue, at the intersection of Old Boalsburg Road and the Pennsylvania Military Museum,” said Boeckel. “We were awarded a grant for $298,000 back in 2024 from the automated red light enforcement program and we’re now at the point where we’re working with the state of Pennsylvania
to obtain easements on the Military Museum property to place some of the infrastructure we need.”
Fountaine also provided updates on major transportation and utility projects currently underway in the Borough of State College, including construction along Atherton Street, Beaver Avenue, and Calder Way, as well as progress on the borough’s long-term development plan.
“Calder Way is under construction again in Phase II of the Calder Way project, which replaces all the underground utilities as part of a comprehensive update in the Calder Way segment,” said Fountaine. “The third phase of the project will probably start in 2027. Eventually, this is a complete update of the Calder Way segment between Atherton Street and High Street.”
Housing and Development
In addition to transportation, managers discussed significant economic and community development projects underway across the Centre Region, including workforce and attainable housing initiatives and large-scale investment projects.
Brumbaugh highlighted several Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) in College Township, including Clearwater Conservancy’s Hamer Conservation Center, the PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital, the consolidation of advanced research labs along Innovation Boulevard, and the Crew 814 development at Trout Road and Shiloh Road, which will yield around 191 housing units, 64 of them designated workforce units.
Brumbaugh also addressed the anticipated opening of the Happy Valley Casino at the Nittany Mall, scheduled to open in April 2026.
“The anticipation is for 350 full time-equivalent jobs with an anticipated direct and indirect or induced earnings impact of nearly $20 million within Centre County as a whole,” Brumbaugh explained. “The Casino is estimated to attract over 600,000 visitors annually and will generate a combined $150,000 in real estate, earned income, and local services taxes to College Township, $540,000 in taxes to State College Area School District, and $60,000 in taxes to the county.”
Fountaine discussed housing growth in the Borough of State College, noting that several downtown land development projects are expected to add approximately 3,000 new beds over the next two years. Projects include the Retreat at Westerly Parkway, The Mark on the 400 block of Colonnade Avenue, The George on the 200 block of South Burrowes Street, Greystar’s on-campus housing project, and the Encore development on Beaver Avenue.
Farkas underscored the importance of expanding attainable housing throughout the Centre Region.
“Attainable housing should be at the top of everyone’s list in this room. If we want to grow and have economic development, we have to have a place for people to live. Patton Township prides itself on being a place for all, so we are working diligently this year on living that motto with our ordinance.”
Regional Services
Kimberlee MacMullan, Finance Director for the Centre Region Council of Governments, emphasized the value of shared services and coordinated planning across municipal boundaries.
“While we don’t function like a municipality, COG is trying hard to promote good governance within our organizations, the Centre Region, and across Pennsylvania.”
MacMullan also highlighted the region’s One Vision 2045 comprehensive plan, which serves as a guiding framework for long-term, coordinated regional decision-making.
Following the presentations, attendees engaged in a live Q&A session with the municipal leaders.
The CBICC’s Voice of Business series provides a platform for meaningful discussions on the issues shaping Centre County’s future.
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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, CBICC is committed to cultivating a vibrant business landscape by driving economic development, stimulating job creation, and fostering innovation.
